IFT $166$ Introduction to Internet Networking

Lab $4$

The "Hub"

After you complete each step, put a $\text{'}\sqrt[\phantom{2}]{?}\text{'}$ or $\text{'}x\text{'}$ in the completed box

Using Packet Tracer, we can use a hub to show how Ethernet operates in a shared environment where every device is connected to a hub. When the frames hits the hub, the hub will broadcast the frame out every port that is active.

Create the following topology in Packet TracerOpen PC$2($and open the command prompt$)$ and for PC$2$ to communicate with PC$5,$ it must know

the MAC address of PC$5.$ How do we know if PC$2$ knows the MAC address of PC$5?$ We don't so

we can use the command arp $-$ a which will display our ARP table. The ARP table will show us

what MAC addresses we know. PC$2$ does not know any MAC addresses.

For $PC2$ to communicate with $PC,$ an ARP broadcast needs to be broadcast on the network so

the PC can find the MAC address of PC$5.$

We can see this through simulation mode in Packet Tracer. Go to simulation mode and edit the

filters to only display ARP and ICMP $($ping$)$ as will initially try and ping PC$5$ from PC$2$ and then

PC$5$ will reply to PC$2($all this happen via $2$ protocols i$.$e$.$ ARP $($resolve MAC address$)$ & ICMP$).$

We will also be able to see the broadcast nature of the network with the hub and ARP protocol.