Integrated Enterprise Network Simulation and Congestion Analysis Using VLAN Segmentation and Packet Diagnostic Techniques

Abstract

This report analyzes all the many different network configurations by using Cisco Packet Tracer, along with several other network diagnostics (such as Wireshark and TCPDUMP) to assess the performance of each. The purpose of this report was to provide a better understanding of how all parts of the network functioned via simulated examples (including but not limited to; configuring DHCP, performing FTP file transfers, segmenting VLANs and simulating a congested network). The report demonstrated how devices obtained IP addresses from DHCP servers, showed how files were transferred over ftp server/client architectures, illustrated inter VLAN communications and validation through ICMP testing and provided evidence of how network congestion affected packet flows. The data gathered from the experiment included packet capture information, ARP/ICMP testing, DHCP exchange activity and ftp login events which were then examined at various levels of the OSI model and at real time to gain further insight into the workings of each level.