Can You Configure this Lab with only 8 Config Commands?
Do you like puzzles? Are you working towards CCNA, or the CCNP Switch exam? If so, today’s post can be an interesting challenge to help you review switch VLAN configuration, with a short lab exercise you can do on paper. (You can lab it as well if you have 3 LAN switches). And I’ve added another challenge for you puzzle lovers out there: what’s the least number of configuration commands you can use to meet the requirements of this lab?
Writing this post got me thinking about the old Name That Tune show, where they bid to say ” I can name that tune in x notes”. For this lab, you have two challenges: to both create a correct config and to pick the config steps that use the fewest config commands possible. To do so, think about all the ways to configure the switches to meet the stated requirements. Then, find the way that uses the least total number of commands. When posting any replies, feel free to make your claim of “I can configure this network in x commands”.
Here are the ground rules for counting the number of commands:
Do not count commands to get into config mode (configure terminal) or to get out (end or Ctl-z).
All other commands in configuration mode count
For the lab itself, all three switches begin with no configuration whatsoever, as if they were brand new and just removed from the cardboard box.
You must configure all commands before connecting any cables.
Connect the correct Ethernet cables as shown in the figure, but only after completing the configuration. After you connect the cables, no more configuration is allowed.
All three switches must know of VLAN 2, as proven by the show vlan brief command.
A broadcast sent by PC1 must be in VLAN 2, and it must arrive at PC2.
That same broadcast frame must not arrive at SW3.
If a switch relies on VTP to learn VLAN 2, that switch must use a VTP password of “fred”.
The lab, once cabled, should look like this:
Interestingly, this lab requires that you consider a wide range of commands related to VLANs. The lab also requires that you remember some default settings, mainly because if you can take advantage of defaults, you can avoid typing another command, and solve this lab in X commands. If you don’t want any more help, then don’t click below to go to the next page. If you want some reminders of defaults, then click to the next page before solving the lab. Enjoy, post your thoughts/questions, and I’ll post the solution next week.
Only two defaults to point out, but in case it helps:
- 2960’s ports all default to an implied configuration of switchport mode dynamic auto.
- VTP setting default to: server mode, domain name is null (in other words, no domain name is set).
