5.3.1.3 Packet Tracer Answers

How to Identify MAC and IP Addresses in Packet Tracer

Packet Tracer is a network simulation tool that allows you to create and test various network scenarios. One of the skills you need to master in Packet Tracer is how to identify MAC and IP addresses of different devices in a network.

MAC and IP addresses are two types of identifiers that are used to communicate between devices on a network. MAC addresses are physical addresses that are assigned to each network interface card (NIC) by the manufacturer. IP addresses are logical addresses that are assigned by the network administrator or a DHCP server. MAC addresses operate at layer 2 of the OSI model, while IP addresses operate at layer 3.

In this article, we will show you how to use Packet Tracer to identify MAC and IP addresses of various devices in a network. We will also answer some reflection questions that will help you understand the concepts better.

Step 1: Create a network topology in Packet Tracer

The first step is to create a network topology in Packet Tracer that consists of the following devices:

Two computers (PC0 and PC1) connected to a hub (Hub0)

Two computers (PC2 and PC3) connected to a switch (Switch0)

A router (Router0) connected to both Hub0 and Switch0

A wireless access point (AP0) connected to Switch0

A laptop (Laptop0) connected wirelessly to AP0

You can use any device icons and labels you want, but make sure they match the ones in the screenshot below:

Next, you need to configure the IP addresses of the devices as follows:

DeviceInterfaceIP AddressSubnet Mask

PC0F0172.16.31.2255.255.255.224

PC1F0172.16.31.3255.255.255.224

PC2F0172.16.31.4255.255.255.224

PC3F0172.16.31.5255.255.255.224

Laptop0F010.10.10.3255.255.255.0

Router0G0/0/0172.16.31.1255.255.255.224

Router0G0/0/110.10.10.1255.255.255.0

AP0BVI110.10.10.2255.255.255.

Step 2: Gather PDU information as packets travel across the network

The next step is to gather PDU information as packets travel across the network from one device to another.

A PDU (Protocol Data Unit) is a unit of data that is transmitted at a specific layer of the OSI model.

In Packet Tracer, you can use simulation mode to view the PDUs that are generated by different protocols at different layers.

To do this, follow 061ffe29dd