Packet Tracer Multi-Subnet Companion

Guided CLI configurations, OSPF routing, all-Gigabit links, and WLC-PT Lightweight AP orchestrations.

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 GigabitEthernet WAN links (using ISR 4331 Gigabit interfaces `0/0/1` and `0/0/2`). To secure corporate systems, the company uses OSPF Area 0 (Backbone) as its core routing protocol, a centralized DHCP Server residing in Network 5 to dispense dynamic leases globally, and a Wireless LAN Controller (WLC-PT) configured directly via the native PT Config panel to centrally manage and provision Lightweight Access Points (LAPs) in VLANs 10, 20, and 30.

Current Routing Design: Router-on-a-Stick (ROAS). Router0 acts as the gateway for VLANs 10, 20, and 30 using subinterfaces on its physical GigabitEthernet0/0/0 port. MLS0 acts as a Layer 2 switch.

Dynamic CLI Builder: When you calculate your subnets and assign your custom Router/SVI 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 (L2) 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 Gig0/0/1 Link Gig0/0/2 Link Gig0/0/2 Link 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 interfaces 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 link entries, type the full IP addresses (e.g. `10.10.10.1`) in the Usable Range blocks.

Interface Assignments (Custom IP Setup)

Students have complete control over what IPs they assign to their Router and Switch Virtual Interfaces (SVIs)! Enter your chosen IP addresses. 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 IP Assignments in the 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.

Device Configurations: Central DHCP & WLC-PT

Follow these guides carefully to deploy the DHCP pools and orchestrate the Wireless LAN Controller (WLC-PT) using native Cisco Packet Tracer dialogue panels.

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: VLAN 10 Gateway IP
  • Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.224
  • Start IP Address: 192.168.100.2
  • WLC Address (Option 43): WLC IP Address
Pool 2: Kable2 (VLAN 20)
  • Gateway: VLAN 20 Gateway IP
  • Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.224
  • Start IP Address: 192.168.100.34
  • WLC Address (Option 43): WLC IP Address
Pool 3: Kable3 (VLAN 30)
  • Gateway: VLAN 30 Gateway IP
  • Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.224
  • Start IP Address: 192.168.100.66
  • WLC Address (Option 43): 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 Address: N/A
Pool 5: Administration (Net 5)
  • Gateway: Net 5 Gateway IP
  • Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.224
  • Start IP Address: 192.168.100.130
  • WLC 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. Configure WLC0 Management IP

Click on WLC0 (Wireless LAN Controller) in Packet Tracer, go to the Config tab, and select **Management** under the **INTERFACE** group on the left:

IPv4 Address: WLC IP Address
Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.224
Default Gateway: Router3 Gateway IP
DNS Server: 0.0.0.0

2. Deploy Wireless LANs (SSID Profiles)

Select **Wireless LANs** under the **GLOBAL** group. Map the dynamic subnets directly by creating these three SSID entries:

SSID Profile 1
  • Profile Name: Network 1
  • SSID: Kable1
  • VLAN ID: 10
  • Security: Select WPA2-PSK
  • Passphrase: Kable1231
SSID Profile 2
  • Profile Name: Network 2
  • SSID: Kable2
  • VLAN ID: 20
  • Security: Select WPA2-PSK
  • Passphrase: Kable1232
SSID Profile 3
  • Profile Name: Network 3
  • SSID: Kable3
  • VLAN ID: 30
  • Security: Select WPA2-PSK
  • Passphrase: Kable1233

3. Enable WLAN Group Broadcasting

Select **AP Groups** under the **GLOBAL** group on WLC0 Config tab:

Select AP Group: default-group

Under the **Wireless LANs** checkbox sub-grid, verify that all three profiles are checked:

VLAN 10
VLAN 20
VLAN 30

Click **Save** in WLC0. The three Lightweight Access Points connected in Multilayer Switch0 will register using CAPWAP and broadcast the respective corporate Wi-Fi SSIDs dynamically!

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 & Local Gateways Configuration

Pending

Phase 4: WAN Links & OSPF Routing (Area 0)

Pending

Phase 5: Central DHCP Services & Helper Addresses

Pending

Phase 6: WLC Setup & AP CAPWAP provisioning

Pending

Phase 7: End-to-End Connectivity Verification

Pending