Data and Network Communication Lab Name Lee Khee Mahendra

NIM 22 02 0104
Title Local Area Network Practice No. 3

Introduction

In the world of networking, the term LAN, or Local Area Network, takes center stage. A LAN is a
network of devices within a limited geographical area, such as a home, office, or campus. LANs are
designed to facilitate communication and data sharing among devices in close-proximity.

When setting up a LAN, the choice of topology plays a crucial

role. A topology defines how devices are connected and
communicate within a network. In a laboratory setting, where
multiple devices need to be interconnected, the star topology often
proves to be an ideal choice. This topology involves connecting all
devices to a central hub or switch. This central point of connection
streamlines communication between devices, ensuring that data can
flow seamlessly.

Speaking of switches, they are essential components in LANs. A switch is a

networking device that operates at the data link layer of the OSI model. It functions
as a central point of control for data traffic within a network. Unlike hubs that
broadcast data to all connected devices, a switch intelligently forwards data only to
the specific device it is intended for. This feature enhances network efficiency by
reducing unnecessary data transmission.

Now, a lab setup is where laptops need to be connected for

collaborative tasks. To establish connections between laptops and
ensure efficient data routing, Ethernet cables and star topology are
employed. Specifically, RJ45 cables, commonly known as Ethernet
cables, are used. These cables are designed to transmit data reliably
and at high speeds, making them perfect for connecting laptops to a
switch.

A crucial consideration when designing a lab network is the number of ports available on the
switch. Ports on a switch serve as connection points for devices. The exact number of ports can vary
based on the switch model, but a typical switch might have anywhere from 8 to 48 ports, or even more,
the switch that is in the programming lab has 8 ports. This allows for multiple devices, such as laptops,
desktops, printers, and more, to be simultaneously connected and communicate within the LAN.

Tools and materials

 1 x switch
 3 x laptops
 3 x straight cable
Work steps
1. Connect a straight cable from each laptop to an empty switch port
2. Provide IP address, Subnet Mask, Gateway and DNS.
3. Enter CMD.
4. Use the ping command (destination ip address)
5. Enable folder sharing
6. Access the shared folder by using the command //(destination ip address)
7. Copy files from the destination folder to your computer and vice versa.

Experimental Results:
IP address table for each laptop?
Device IP Address Subnet Mask Gateway DNS
Laptop 192.168.0.1 255.255.255.0
1
Laptop 192.168.0.2 255.255.255.0
2
Laptop 192.168.0.3 255.255.255.0
3
Laptop 192.168.0.4 255.255.255.0
4
The picture below shows the results from executing the ipconfig command in Laptop 2 (My
laptop). The results proved that Laptop 2 is connected through ethernet and wi-fi. But the main focus
for this report is on the Ethernet connection. Each laptop has its unique IP Address therefore, the laptop
can have unambiguous destination between two laptops.
 Windows command has many useful features, one of them is the PING command. The
picture below shows the result of executing the PING command in Laptop 2 (My Laptop). The
results showed that Laptop 2 has connected to all other laptops that is connected to the switch.
Let’s break down the results of the Ping command (Take ping 192.168.0.1 as an example). It
showed the size of the data that has been sent (bytes=32), the time laptop 2 took to send the data
(time < 1ms), and the TTL value which is a counter that indicates how many hops (routers) a
packet can traverse before it is discarded. (TTL=128).
 After the laptops are connected, doesn’t mean that data transferring is enabled yet. To enable
data transfer the settings in the “Advanced sharing settings” must be configured like so:

Once the “Advance sharing settings” has been configured, data transfer is now enabled and can
be done successfully. In this practice, we are assigned to share folders between laptops to prove that we
can now exchange data. Folder sharing is only about giving people access to it and let me explain how.
First, go to the folder you want to share. Then, right click the folder, choose properties, choose sharing,
and click share. The display is now must be like so:

The display that’s shown now is the network access section. It’s a section where we
choose whoever we can give the access of the folder we are going to share. In this practice, I’m
going to give everyone who’s connected to my laptop (Laptop 2) access to read/write the folder
I’m sharing. To do that we click the arrow down beside the add button, choose everyone, click

add, click the arrow down beside “Read” on the Everyone row, choose read/write, and lastly
click share to share the folder. I’m also assigned to copy the files from the destination folder, and
to do that I just need to click the search bar on my desktop. Then, type “\\192.168.0.3” (I’m
choosing Laptop 3 as an example). Here’s the display that I got:
Reflection

This practice isn’t as hard as I thought It would be, we only need to be careful at the steps. I’ve
failed the first time I tried to connect to the switch, but by doing it more carefully I succeed. The
problem was from the cable that isn’t latch into place tight enough. I learnt that through trials and
tribulations we have to stay strong and keep going even when the trials and tribulations don’t stop
because that’s commitment.

Conclusion

In conclusion, LANs are vital components of modern networking, enabling seamless

communication and data sharing within a limited area. The choice of topology, like the star topology,
shapes how devices connect, and central devices like switches enhance network efficiency. When setting
up a lab network, choosing the right cables and ensuring an adequate number of switch ports are
essential steps. By understanding these concepts and making informed choices, lab networks can be
established that foster collaborative learning and efficient data exchange.