9.8.2 Packet Tracer – Cisco Switch MAC Table Examination Answers
Topology
Addressing Table:
This activity does not include an addessing table.
Learning Objectives:
- Use the Telnet protocol to log into a Cisco Switch
- Use the Cisco IOS show mac-address-table command to examine MAC address and port associations
Introduction:
Switches maintain a table of MAC addresses and associated switch port. When a switch receives a frame, the destination MAC address is checked against the table, and the corresponding port is used to route the frame out of the switch. If a switch does not know which port to route the frame, or the frame is a broadcast, then the frame is routed out all ports except the port where it originated. Access to Cisco devices can be accomplished through several means. A console port can be used if the Cisco router or switch is within the same physical proximity of a computer. Using Packet Tracer’s terminal utility, a serial connection can be established. For devices physically distant from the network engineer, network connectivity can be established through two means. If the network is not secure, a modem configured on the AUX port enables telephone access. For secure networks, the Cisco device can be configured for a Telnet session. In this lab, the student will connect to the switch via a Telnet session.
Task 1: Use the Telnet protocol to log into a Cisco Switch
Step 1. Access Host PC-PT 1A Command Prompt.
Use the Command Prompt button from the Desktop Tab.
Step 2. Use the Telnet command to access S1-Central.
Ping the switch’s IP address first to resolve ARP. Then enter the command telnet 172.16.254.1. Packet Tracer does not support user names on switches. When prompt enter cisco as the password.
Task 2: Use the Cisco IOS show mac-address-table command to examine MAC addresses and port associations
Step 1. Examine the switch MAC address table.
The command show mac-address-table ? will show only the options supported by Packet Tracer.
Step 2. Examine dynamic MAC address table entries.
The command show mac-address-table will show only the entry for the PC from which you accessed the switch. Try using the IOS ping command to ping the router gateway and the other PCs, and then issue the command again.
Step 3. Examine the switch MAC address table.
The command show mac-address-table aging-time is not supported by Packet Tracer.
