NodeConnect

Lab time! Want to build a DHCP server?  In this lab, I will show you how to build your own DHCP server on a router using Cisco Packet Tracer, as shown above. By the end of this post, you will be able to create your own DHCP server with a Cisco 2911 router, perhaps in a home lab setting, and prepare you to build your own on other hardware.  Why a Router?  A DHCP server is a centralized, automated service that assigns important network configuration details to devices on a network, such as IP addresses. Without it, we would have to create manual entries for our entire network, which can be time-consuming and lead to errors. Traditionally, there are dedicated servers to handle these functions. There are many ways to implement a DHCP server in your topology, including a dedicated physical server, a virtual machine, cloud-based gateways, and firewalls. However, there are specific benefits to using a router as your DHCP server: Reduced infrastructur...

When I was first introduced to subnetting, it was difficult to understand the math and the process behind it. I watched videos but it did not click. I focused more on how to calculate it than on the reasoning behind it. Why do we subnet? I remember seeing forward slashes followed by numbers, classes, letters, network and broadcast addresses - important terms that was overshadowed by just trying to grasp why certain numbers were used.  Years later, I hear the word "subnetting" in one of my courses, and it reminded me of my struggles. Yet, I was excited. It was a time for redemption. Example after example, I started to get them right but also got to understand how to create a subnet with sufficient space for devices. Because of this, I have grown to love subnetting.  For me, it took time - a break that lasted about two years followed by a curriculum that focused on the topic for a few weeks. If you find yourself struggling with subnetting, do not worry. It takes time. If someth...

Whether it is a to-do list or a big project, organization is key. We have busy lives. The task in itself can have several parts or may require some sort of collaboration with a partner or a team. A project may call to meet deadlines, which means keeping up with those crucial dates and having a system of order. Similarly, our networks are busy, transferring a great deal of data across links and nodes. The amount of traffic generated can lead to bottlenecks, packet loss, and delays. A network’s design can vary in complexity, depending on the environment or needs of a customer. Just as we find a manageable way to handle heavy workloads, our networks have a way of efficiently handling network traffic by creating "mini-networks" within our network. This process is called subnetting.   Why We Subnet To reduce congestion. Just as traffic in cities cause slowdowns and delays, too much traffic can lead to bottlenecks, packet loss, and delays. Subnetting breaks the netwo...