Switch set up on GNS3

[Giant99]

I have set up a lab topology as set out in the BSCI Lab Portfolio. It's the first one and has a switch in it. I've used the switch in the GNS3 and it doesn't work. The lab sets up 3 fa connections to the switch and I think the switch only does ethernet and not fast ethernet. Is that my problem?

I have seen there is a fast ethernet thing with 16 ports you can plug into the router. Can this be used to emulate a switch? I am using a 3640 IOS (124-16a).

I have tried to look at the GNS3 tutorials but the internet link is not responding.

 

[CiscoGuy33]

Giant99,

Not sure on the GNS3 setup since I use all real equipment in my lab but if you are doing CCNP, you really are going to need several switches at one point. I have found several Cisco 29xx-XL switches on Ebay for about $20 each and you can find 2950's for $70 to $130. Both are Fast Ethernet and will do most of what you would want a switch to do in a BSCI lab.

Last time I looked those 16 port switch modules were a lot more then a 2950 switch.

You might want to read Wendell Odom's blog at Network World on setting up a CCNP lab - 14 sections, lots of infomation that would be very helpfull -

http://www.networkworld.com/community/node/27576

Good luck and I hope this helps!

E.A. Broda
CCNA, CCDA, CCAI, Network +

 

[Giant99]

Thanks for your advice. I intend to buy a lab at the end of the month when I get paid.

I have just worked out the problem. I have been following the set up configuration word for word. The Cisco book omits the 'no shutdown' command from its text.

I can't belive I was so stupid as to not spot that and I can't believe Cisco is so stupid as to put out a book with a bad config. I entered the command and it works just fine.

 

[lerdalt]

Don't think of it as stupidity...think of it as a learning opportunity.

 

[CiscoGuy33]

lerdalt,

Good point!!!

I have had students come get me because they could not access the routers in the lab, I walk into the lab and walk over to the rack next to the computer they are sitting at and flip the power switch that turns the WHOLE rack on and the room fills with lights, fans and other sounds of a RUNNING RACK Boy do they feel stupid, but I explain to them that is why EVERY troubleshooting guide has as the first thing - Is it turned on?

Learn from life and everything it throws at you!!!

E.A. Broda
CCNA, CCDA, CCAI, Network +

 

[lerdalt]

hmm...is that considered a layer 1 issue? Or is power considered layer 0?

I had a great example yesterday. Was working on a linux box to setup at a remote location for TCPDUMP work. Was getting some weird messages on the console when I'd get to a login prompt. Was messages about sendmail/smtp service failing. I probably spent 10-15 minutes on it before I noticed the timestamp was way off. Don't know what possessed me to go check, but sure enough, my login banner was setup with those messages.

My other favorite was when a server would never fully load up, and then reboot. Turned out had a reboot command in the autoexec, so it would constantly reboot itself.

 

[lerdalt]

One more thing. I always think what you learn from your mistakes sticks with you so much better than what you might read in the book. School of hard knocks I guess is the best teacher you could ever have.

and the command for the day that has become my new best friend over the years "show ip interface brief"

 

[burtsbees]

I have been following the set up configuration word for word. The Cisco book omits the 'no shutdown' command from its text."

If it shows the output of "sh run", the only thing that shows up is "shutdown". If the interface is up/up, then the config will not show "no shutdown".

Now if the book shows things like

Enter enable mode

router>en
router#
enter global config mode
router#conf t
router(config)#
enter interface config mode
router(config)#int fa0/0
router(config-if)#
enter IP address
router(config-if)#ip add 10.10.10.1 255.255.255.0
issue the end command
router(config-if)#end
router#
save the configuration
router#wr

Then they fail to mention "enter 'no shut' on the interface"...in this case, I agree with you. Here is an example of a config...

SMS_LAN#sh run
Building configuration...

Current configuration : 1249 bytes
!
version 12.1
no service single-slot-reload-enable
service timestamps debug uptime
service timestamps log uptime
no service password-encryption
!
hostname SMS_LAN
!
enable secret 5 is_MD5_crackable?
!
username I_am_not_new privilege 15 password 0 again_not_new
!
!
!
!
memory-size iomem 25
ip subnet-zero
ip host c2980 192.168.69.88
ip name-server x.x.x.x
ip name-server x.x.x.x
!
ip dhcp pool sms
network 192.168.69.0 255.255.255.0
default-router 192.168.69.1
dns-server x.x.x.x x.x.x.x
!
!
!
!
interface Serial0
ip address 192.168.2.2 255.255.255.252
ip access-group 102 in
ip nat inside
encapsulation ppp
!
interface FastEthernet0
description LAN
ip address 192.168.69.1 255.255.255.0
ip nat inside
speed auto
!
ip classless
ip route 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 192.168.2.1
ip route 192.168.3.0 255.255.255.252 192.168.2.1
no ip http server
!
access-list 102 deny ip host 84.16.252.73 any
access-list 102 deny ip host 85.255.119.146 any
access-list 102 permit ip any any
access-list 103 permit tcp any any established
tacacs-server host 192.168.69.108
tacacs-server key hack_me_please
!
line con 0
password see_line_vty_0_4
logging synchronous
line aux 0
line vty 0 4
password like_I'm_going_to_post_that_in_Tek_Tips
login
transport input telnet
!
end

Note for the interfaces, they are up/up, but it does not show "no shut"...

interface Serial0
ip address 192.168.2.2 255.255.255.252
ip access-group 102 in
ip nat inside
encapsulation ppp
!
interface FastEthernet0
description LAN
ip address 192.168.69.1 255.255.255.0
ip nat inside
speed auto

HTH

Burt