Problem

Our team was tasked with setting up a LAN network using IP block 192.168.20.0/24 using static IP addresses and then using DHCP IP addresses. The challenge was to ensure that every individual laptop was able to ping all the other laptops, hence establishing a successful connection.

We started by crimping Ethernet cables using the crimping tool. Using Ethernet cables, we connected each laptop to the Switch that had already been powered on. Every individual manually configured the IP address of their laptop to suit the IP block that we were instructed to use. We made sure no two individuals configured the same static IP.

Solution

To solve this problem, we proceeded in two stages:

A) Using Static: We started by crimping Ethernet cables using the crimping tool. Using Ethernet cables, we connected each laptop to the Switch that had already been powered on. Every individual manually configured the IP address of their laptop to suit the IP block that we were instructed to use. We made sure no two individuals configured the same static IP. Finally, every individual laptop was able to ping all the other Laptops hence establishing a successful connection.
B) Using DHCP: With each laptop still connected to the Switch via Ethernet cables, we powered and connected a router (TP link) to the Switch. We then configured the TP link to give out DHCP IP addresses with a gateway IP of 192.168.0.1/32 and proceeded by changing the IP configurations in our Laptops from Static to Dynamic IP addresses. Every individual was able to see the IP address assigned to his/her laptop by typing “ipconfig” in the command prompt. After noting down the IP addresses, we were able to ping each other on the different laptops hence LAN had been set up.

Impact

Established a successful LAN network using IP block 192.168.20.0/24 using static IP addresses and then using DHCP IP addresses.
Ensured that every individual laptop was able to ping all the other laptops, hence establishing a successful connection.

Team

Team Member #1 - Network Engineer
- Oversaw the crimping of Ethernet cables and connected each laptop to the Switch that had already been powered on.
- Manually configured the IP address of their laptop to suit the IP block that we were instructed to use.
Team Member #2 - IT Support Specialist
- Configured TP link to give out DHCP IP addresses with a gateway IP of 192.168.0.1/323 and proceeded by changing the IP configurations in our Laptops from Static to Dynamic IP addresses.
- Made sure every individual was able to see the IP address assigned to his/her laptop by typing “ipconfig” in the command prompt.

Successful LAN Setup with Static and DHCP IPs