Packet Tracer Multi-Subnet Companion

Guided CLI configuration, custom IP schemes, OSPF routing, and CAPWAP WLC orchestration.

Scenario Overview

In this advanced Packet Tracer assignment, you will deploy a distributed corporate office network. The layout is physically structured into five localized subnets and three serial/gigabit WAN links. To secure corporate systems, the company uses OSPF Area 0 (Backbone) as its core routing protocol, Router-on-a-Stick (802.1Q encapsulation) for localized multi-VLAN segmentation, a centralized DHCP Server residing in Network 5 to dispense dynamic leases globally, and a Wireless LAN Controller (WLC-PT) to centrally manage and provision Lightweight Access Points (LAPs) in VLANs 10, 20, and 30 using CAPWAP.

Dynamic CLI Builder: When you calculate your subnets and assign your custom Router interfaces, this web application will automatically inject your chosen IP addresses directly into the Cisco IOS CLI code panels! Ensure your math is 100% correct before copying configurations.

Interactive Topology Map

Hover over elements to see network parameters. Click a router or switch to hop directly to its CLI terminal configs!

Router0 ISR 4331 Router1 ISR 4331 Router2 ISR 4331 Router3 ISR 4331 Multilayer Switch0 Switch1 (2960) Switch0 (2960) Access Point0 VLAN 10 Laptop 1 Access Point1 VLAN 20 Laptop 2 Access Point2 VLAN 30 Laptop 3 PC1 Net 4 Mgmt PC0 Net 5 Admin WLC0 (WLC-PT) DHCP Server0 192.168.100.158 10.10.10.0/30 10.10.10.4/30 10.10.10.8/30 VLAN 10: .0/27 VLAN 20: .32/27 VLAN 30: .64/27 Net 4: .96/27 Net 5: .128/27

Subnet Boundaries Planner

Enter your calculated VLSM configurations below for each subnet. The parent scope is 192.168.100.0/24. All localized subnets are assigned /27 masks, and all WAN serial/gigabit link scopes are assigned /30 masks.

Subnet / Segment Target Scope Subnet Mask Network ID Default Gateway (First) Usable IP Range Broadcast ID Status
Network 1 (VLAN 10) Laptop 1 & AP0 192.168.100.0/27 to
Network 2 (VLAN 20) Laptop 2 & AP1 192.168.100.32/27 to
Network 3 (VLAN 30) Laptop 3 & AP2 192.168.100.64/27 to
Network 4 Management PC1 Management Hub 192.168.100.96/27 to
Network 5 Administration PC0, DHCP Server, WLC 192.168.100.128/27 to
WAN 0-1 Link Router0 to Router1 Link 10.10.10.0/30 to
WAN 1-2 Link Router1 to Router2 Link 10.10.10.4/30 to
WAN 2-3 Link Router2 to Router3 Link 10.10.10.8/30 to

VLSM Reference Guidelines

  • /27 Subnets have a block size of 32. Their masks are `255.255.255.224`. Usable host addresses always run from `(Network ID + 1)` to `(Broadcast ID - 1)`.
  • /30 WAN Links have a block size of 4. Their masks are `255.255.255.252`. There are exactly 2 usable IP addresses per WAN link.
  • For WAN serial/gigabit link entries, type the full IP addresses (e.g. `10.10.10.1`) in the Usable Range blocks.

Router Interface Assignments (Custom IP Setup)

Students have complete control over what IPs they assign to their Router interfaces! Enter your chosen IP addresses for each Router interface. The system will double-check that your selections fall within the mathematically correct usable IP range of their respective subnets and alert you to conflicts.

Subnets Locked: Please calculate and verify your subnets in the Subnet Planner tab first. Once verified, this panel will unlock, enabling custom assignments!

Choose Device

Router0 CLI Configuration Terminal
Configurations Locked: You must fully configure and verify your Router Interface IPs in the Router IP Assignments tab to unlock custom CLI commands! 
Awaiting IP address verifications...
Technical Command Breakdown
Choose a device from the left menu to display its Cisco IOS configurations and step-by-step logic.

GUI Configuration Guides: Central DHCP & WLC

Some services in Packet Tracer are configured using graphical user interfaces (GUI). Follow these guides carefully to deploy the DHCP pools and orchestrate the Wireless LAN Controller (WLC-PT).

1. Static IP Configuration

Click on Server-PT DHCP Server0 in Packet Tracer, go to Desktop → IP Configuration, and apply these parameters:

IPv4 Address: 192.168.100.158
Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.224
Default Gateway: Router3 Gateway IP

2. Setup Dynamic DHCP Pools

Navigate to Services → DHCP. Turn the DHCP service ON and create/edit the following five network pools. Click Add or Save for each pool:

Pool 1: Kable1 (VLAN 10)
  • Gateway: Router0 VLAN10 Gateway IP
  • Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.224
  • Start IP Address: 192.168.100.2
  • WLC IP Address: WLC IP Address
Pool 2: Kable2 (VLAN 20)
  • Gateway: Router0 VLAN20 Gateway IP
  • Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.224
  • Start IP Address: 192.168.100.34
  • WLC IP Address: WLC IP Address
Pool 3: Kable3 (VLAN 30)
  • Gateway: Router0 VLAN30 Gateway IP
  • Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.224
  • Start IP Address: 192.168.100.66
  • WLC IP Address: WLC IP Address
Pool 4: Management (Net 4)
  • Gateway: Router1 Net 4 Gateway IP
  • Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.224
  • Start IP Address: 192.168.100.98
  • WLC IP Address: N/A
Pool 5: Administration (Net 5)
  • Gateway: Router3 Net 5 Gateway IP
  • Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.224
  • Start IP Address: 192.168.100.130
  • WLC IP Address: N/A
Option 43 CAPWAP Binding: In Cisco Packet Tracer, the `WLC IP Address` input field inside the DHCP pool configuration handles the Option 43 CAPWAP binding automatically! LAPs leasing an IP from these pools will immediately learn the WLC IP address, contact WLC0, and download their SSIDs.

1. Logging into WLC WLC0 Graphical Dashboard

Go to **PC0** (or PC1), navigate to **Desktop → Web Browser**, and enter the WLC management address:

https://wlc_mgmt_ip

Create your admin account credentials on first login (e.g. username: admin / password: Admin123!).

2. Define Dynamic Interfaces for VLANs

Go to **Controller → Interfaces**. Click **New** to create dynamic interfaces matching our subnets:

Interface Name VLAN ID Port Number IP Address Subnet Mask Gateway IP Primary DHCP Server
vlan10 10 1 192.168.100.20 (Example) 255.255.255.224 R0 VLAN10 Gateway 192.168.100.158
vlan20 20 1 192.168.100.50 (Example) 255.255.255.224 R0 VLAN20 Gateway 192.168.100.158
vlan30 30 1 192.168.100.80 (Example) 255.255.255.224 R0 VLAN30 Gateway 192.168.100.158

3. Deploy Wireless LANs (WLANs)

Navigate to **WLANs → WLANs**. Click **Create New** (Go) to establish the WLAN networks:

WLAN 1: Kable1
  • SSID: Kable1
  • Interface: Select vlan10
  • Security: Enable **WPA2-PSK**
  • Passphrase: Kable1231
  • Status: Check **Enabled** box
WLAN 2: Kable2
  • SSID: Kable2
  • Interface: Select vlan20
  • Security: Enable **WPA2-PSK**
  • Passphrase: Kable1232
  • Status: Check **Enabled** box
WLAN 3: Kable3
  • SSID: Kable3
  • Interface: Select vlan30
  • Security: Enable **WPA2-PSK**
  • Passphrase: Kable1233
  • Status: Check **Enabled** box

Save and apply configurations. The LAPs in VLANs 10, 20, and 30 will dynamically learn these SSIDs, apply the passphrases, and provision corporate dynamic networks!

Student guided Lab Checklist

Complete the activity step-by-step. Mark each milestone as done to track your completion progress!

Phase 1: Physical Topology Setup & Connections

Pending

Phase 2: Layer 2 Switch VLANs & Trunk Uplinks

Pending

Phase 3: Layer 3 Gateway subinterfaces & LAN Gateways

Pending

Phase 4: WAN Interfaces & OSPF Routing (Backbone Area 0)

Pending

Phase 5: DHCP Central Services & IP Helpers

Pending

Phase 6: WLC Setup & Wireless AP CAPWAP provisioning

Pending

Phase 7: Dynamic Verification & End-to-End Connectivity

Pending