default_routing

This lab demonstrates how to configure Default Routing and DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) on Cisco routers. It covers both providing IP addresses dynamically to end devices and ensuring that routers forward traffic to unknown destinations via a default route.

Learning Objectives

• Understand and configure default static routes (ip route 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 ).
• Verify how traffic to unknown networks is forwarded using the default route.
• Configure DHCP pools on Cisco routers to automatically provide: o IP addresses o Subnet masks o Default gateways o DNS server info
• Exclude reserved addresses from DHCP assignment.
• Test host auto-configuration and verify successful end-to-end communication.

Lab Tasks

1. Build a topology with at least two routers, two LANs, and hosts.
2. Assign IP addresses to router interfaces.
3. Configure DHCP pools and exclude static addresses.
4. Configure a default route on edge routers pointing toward the ISP/upstream router.
5. Verify: o PCs receive IPs automatically via DHCP. o PCs can reach other LANs and “external” networks via the default route. o Use ping, show ip route, and ipconfig (on PCs) for validation. Outcomes

All hosts obtain correct IP addressing automatically. Routers forward traffic to unknown networks through the default route. End-to-end communication is achieved across LANs and to simulated Internet.