Part 5 – Configure Static Routing
Part 5 – Configure Static Routing
Objective
In this lesson, you'll configure Static Routing so computers in Network A can communicate with computers in Network B.
By the end of this lesson, you will:
✅ Understand what a route is.
✅ Configure static routes on both routers.
✅ Verify the routing table.
✅ Understand how packets travel between networks.
Step 1: What is Routing?
What is Routing?
Routing is the process of moving data from one network to another.
A router decides the best path for data to reach its destination.
Why do we need Routing?
At the moment:
PCs in Network A can communicate with each other.
PCs in Network B can communicate with each other.
But Router A doesn't know where Network B is, and Router B doesn't know where Network A is.
We must tell each router where to find the other network.
🌍 Real-Life Example
Imagine you're a delivery driver in Abuja.
You know every street in Abuja, but you receive a package for Lagos.
Unless someone gives you directions or a map, you won't know how to get there.
A static route is like giving the driver the exact directions to the destination.
Step 2: What is a Static Route?
What is a Static Route?
A static route is a route that is manually configured by the network administrator.
The router follows the path you specify.
Why use Static Routing?
Small networks
Easy to understand
Gives full control over traffic
Common in beginner Packet Tracer labs
🌍 Real-Life Example
Imagine you always drive from your house to work using the same road every day.
You don't need GPS because you already know the route.
That's exactly how static routing works.
Step 3: Configure Static Route on Router A
Where to do it
Click Router A.
Open the CLI.
Go to Privileged EXEC Mode:
enable
Go to Global Configuration Mode:
configure terminal
What to do
Type:
ip route 192.168.2.0 255.255.255.0 10.0.0.2
What does this command mean?
Let's break it down:
ip route
Creates a static route.
192.168.2.0
This is the destination network.
It tells Router A:
"I'm looking for Network B."
255.255.255.0
This is the subnet mask of Network B.
It tells the router how large that destination network is.
10.0.0.2
This is the next-hop IP address.
It tells Router A:
"To reach Network B, send the packet to Router B."
🌍 Real-Life Example
Imagine you're delivering a package to another city.
The address says:
Destination City → Lagos
Ask Mr. Ade (10.0.0.2) for directions when you arrive at the city gate.
The router follows the same logic.
Step 4: Configure Static Route on Router B
Where to do it
Open Router B.
Enter:
enable
configure terminal
What to do
Type:
ip route 192.168.1.0 255.255.255.0 10.0.0.1
What does this command mean?
Router B is told:
"If you're trying to reach Network A (192.168.1.0/24), send the packet to Router A (10.0.0.1)."
🌍 Real-Life Example
Now both office branches have exchanged directions.
The Abuja office knows how to reach Lagos, and the Lagos office knows how to reach Abuja.
Step 5: Verify the Routing Table
Where to do it
On each router, type:
show ip route
What does this command do?
It displays the router's routing table.
A routing table is like a list of destinations and the paths used to reach them.
What should you see?
You should see entries similar to:
S 192.168.2.0/24 via 10.0.0.2
on Router A, and
S 192.168.1.0/24 via 10.0.0.1
on Router B.
What does the letter S mean?
S stands for Static Route.
It indicates the route was manually configured by the administrator.
🌍 Real-Life Example
Think of it as your notebook of travel directions.
Instead of checking Google Maps every time, you already have the route written down.
Step 6: How Does the Packet Travel?
Imagine PC1 wants to send data to PC6.
The journey looks like this:
PC1
192.168.1.10
│
▼
Switch A
│
▼
Router A
│
Static Route
│
▼
Router B
│
▼
Switch B
│
▼
PC6
192.168.2.12
How does Router A make the decision?
Router A receives the packet.
It checks the destination IP address.
It compares the destination with its routing table.
It finds:
192.168.2.0/24 → 10.0.0.2
It forwards the packet to Router B.
Router B recognizes that 192.168.2.0/24 is directly connected and sends the packet to PC6.
🌍 Real-Life Example
Imagine you're mailing a letter from Abuja to Lagos.
Your local post office doesn't deliver it directly.
It sends it to the Lagos distribution center.
The Lagos office then delivers it to the correct street and house.
Routers work in the same way by forwarding data to the next appropriate destination.
Step 7: Save the Configuration
Where to do it
On both routers, type:
end
Then:
copy running-config startup-config
Press Enter to accept the default filename.
Why do we save?
If the router restarts without saving, the static routes and other configurations will be lost.
🌍 Real-Life Example
It's like writing a document and clicking Save before shutting down your computer. If you don't save, your work may disappear.
Part 5 Summary
You have successfully:
✅ Learned what routing is.
✅ Understood the purpose of a static route.
✅ Configured static routes on both routers.
✅ Verified the routing table with
show ip route.✅ Learned how packets travel from one network to another.
✅ Saved the router configuration.
Next Lesson: Part 6 – Test the Network
You'll learn how to:
Use the ping command.
Send a Simple PDU in Packet Tracer.
Interpret successful and failed tests.
Confirm that both LANs can communicate across the routers.
Comments
Post a Comment