CCNA Exploration 1: Network Fundamentals Labs

NDG has worked closely with the Cisco CCNA lab team to develop CCNA Exploration 1 labs.

CCNA Exploration 1 is supported by the Network Fundamentals Pod (NFP).

NFP is a pod specifically designed for the CCNA 4.0 Exploration 1 course.
The supported lab list (below) highlights the labs that are compatible with NFP.

Eagle Server

Eagle Server is a pre-built application server that can be downloaded from the Tools section of Academy Connection. Eagle Server is used for analyzing application layer services. It is accessed from PCs or other devices in the pod. Normal network applications such as Web/HTTP, Telnet, or ping are used to access Eagle Server, mirroring how servers on the Internet are accessed in real life.

Appendix A of the Network Fundamentals Pod Guide describes how to install and run Eagle Server as a VMware Server virtual machine.
The NDG implementation of Eagle Server allows direct access to the Eagle Server console. However, the KDE graphical user interface has been disabled to conserve server memory, reduce bandwidth requirements, and improve remote access performance. KDE is not required.

Enabling the Labs

To enable the CCNA Exploration 1 labs, check the box for "AE CCNA V4.0 EXP 1 English" in the class settings. This must be done for each class requiring access CCNA Exploration 1 labs.

Skills exams are contained in separate lab package and are enabled in the class settings separately from the core CCNA Exploration 1 labs. This allows instructors to defer access to the exams until the end of the course.

You may also allow the class to make "pod-only" reservations using the CCNA 4.x pod types listed above. To enable pod-only reservations, check the box for "AE CCNA Pod Reservations (no labs)" in the class settings.

These reservations are not tied to specific lab exercises. Therefore, the pod will be configured using the default network configuration. Please note however, not all CCNA labs use the default network configuration and must be completed by selecting the correct lab exercise (see the following discussion).

Using the Labs

Always select the correct lab exercise for the lab being performed. Students or teams should schedule the correct lab exercise from the catalog. NETLAB_AE will only show those labs for which the required pod type is available. A lab that works on different pod types may appear more than once if your system is so equipped. Instructors should select the correct lab from the Exercise tab during instructor-led lab reservations. This can be done as many times as needed during the reservation.

Importance of Choosing the Correct Lab Exercise

Several of the labs may differ from the standard pod topologies. This is handled by NETLAB+ Dynamic VLAN Mapping technology. Always select the correct lab exercise for the actual lab. This insures that NETLAB_AE will set up VLANs on the control switch such that lab devices and PCs are placed in the correct LAN segment for the exercise being performed. Selecting the correct exercise will also make the completed lab output easier to find in the archive.

Supported Lab List

Lab	Description	Pod Required	Comments
1.1.1	Using Google Earth to View the World		Activity that needs only a PC with Internet Access.
1.4.5	Identifying Top Security Vulnerabilities		Activity that needs only a PC with Internet Access.
1.6.1	Using Collaboration Tools - IRC and IM	NFP
1.6.2	Using Collaboration Tools - Wiki and Web Logs	NFP
2.2.5	Using Neo Tracer TM to View Internetworks		Activity that needs only a PC with Internet Access.
2.6.1	Topology Orientation and Building a Small Network	NFP	The Switched topology has been previously cabled. Please start with step number 2.
2.6.2	Using Wireshark TM to View Protocol Data Units	NFP	Wireshark_TM may be downloaded from the Eagle Server to the student PCs.
3.4.1	Data Stream Capture	NFP	An audio file previously recorded should be loaded to the student PCs. Eagle may be required.
3.4.2	Managing a Web Server	NFP	Eagle server is required.
3.4.3	E-mail Services and Protocols	NFP	Eagle Server is required.
4.5.1	Observing TCP and UDP using Netstat	NFP	Eagle Server is required.
4.5.2	TCP/IP Transport Layer Protocols, TCP and UDP	NFP	Eagle Server is required.
4.5.3	Application and Transport Layer Protocols Examination	NFP	Eagle Server is required.
5.5.1	Examining a Device's Gateway	NFP
5.5.2	Examining a Route	NFP	Eagle Server is required.
6.7.1	Ping and Traceroute	NFP	Eagle Server is required.
6.7.2	Examining ICMP Packets	NFP	Eagle Server is required.
6.7.3	IPv4 Address Subnetting Part 1		No equipment is required.
6.7.4	IPv4 Address Subnetting Part 2		No equipment is required.
6.7.5	Subnet and Router Configuration	NFP, BRPv2, or CRP
7.5.2	Frame Examination	NFP	Eagle Server is required.
8.4.1	Media Connectors Lab Activity		You need to make and test cables. No networking equipment is required.
9.8.1	Address Resolution Protocol (ARP)	NFP	Eagle Server is required.
9.8.2	Cisco Switch MAC Table Examination	NFP
9.8.3	Intermediary Device as an End Device	NFP	Eagle Server is required.
10.3.2	How Many Networks?		No equipment is required.
10.6.1	Creating a Small Lab Topology	NFP
10.6.2	Establishing a Console Session with HyperTerminal		Lab not supported.
10.6.3	Establishing a Console Session with Minicom		Lab not supported.
11.4.3.3	Network Latency Documentation with Ping	NFP	To obtain realistic network latency statistics, this activity must be performed on a live network. However, the NFP may be used.
11.5.1	Basic Cisco Device Configuration	NFP	Ignore any reference to terminal emulation software such as Hyperterminal. The challenge section cannot be done.
11.5.2	Managing Device Configuration	NFP	Solar Winds must be previously downloaded and available for the students. Ignore any reference to terminal emulation software such as Hyperterminal.
11.5.3	Configure Host Computers for IP Networking	NFP	The physical lab topology has been previously cabled.
11.5.4	Networking Testing	NFP
11.5.5	Network Documentation with Utility Commands	NFP
11.5.6	Final Case Study - Datagram Analysis with Wireshark_TM	NFP