Identifying MAC and IP Addresses in Packet Tracer 5.3.1.3

Welcome to Packet Tracer 5.3.1.3: Identify MAC and IP Addresses.

Objectives:
Part 1: Gather PDU Information
Part 2: Reflection Questions

Background:
This activity is optimized for viewing PDUs. The devices are already configured. You will gather PDU information in Simulation Mode and answer a series of questions based on the data you collect.

Part 1: Gather PDU Information

Note: Review the reflection questions in Part 2 before proceeding with Part 1. It will help you know what type of data to gather.

Step 1: Gather PDU information as a packet travels from 172.16.31.2 to 10.10.10.3. Start by clicking on 172.16.31.2.

• Open the Desktop tab
• Use the Command Prompt to ping 10.10.10.3
• The ping is successful

Switch to Simulation Mode to capture PDU information. You’ll see an envelope icon representing the packet. Click it and view the outbound PDU details to gather:

• Destination MAC
• Source MAC
• Source IP
• Destination IP

Click “Capture/Forward” to send the packet to the next device (the hub). Click the envelope again and view the same outbound details. Record the data.

Next, forward the packet to the switch. Again, click the envelope and check the outbound PDU details. Capture the source and destination IP addresses.

Forward again to the router. At this point, validate that all outbound PDU details match expectations. Then send it forward to the next switch.

On the next switch, view the outbound details and capture source and destination IP info.

Next, the packet reaches the access point. Because this is a wireless device, MAC address information may not be visible, but IP info should still be present.

Finally, forward the packet to the final destination. Click the envelope and confirm the source and destination information again.

Step 2: Gather additional PDU information from other ping combinations. Try sending pings between different devices and examine how the data changes throughout the route.

Part 2: Reflection Questions

1. Were there different types of wires used to connect devices?
2. Did the wires change the handling of the PDU in any way?
3. Did the hub lose any of the information given to it?
4. What does the hub do with MAC addresses and IP addresses?
5. Did the wireless access point do anything with the information given to it?
6. Was any MAC or IP address lost during the wireless transfer?
7. What was the highest OSI layer used by the hub and access point?
8. Did the hub or access point ever replicate a PDU that was rejected with a red X?
9. When examining the PDU Details tab, which MAC address appeared first — source or destination?
10. Why would the MAC address appear in this order?
11. Was there a pattern to the MAC addressing in the simulation?
12. Did any switches replicate a PDU that was rejected with a red X?
13. When PDUs were sent between the 10.x.x.x and 172.x.x.x networks, where did the MAC address change?
14. Which device used MAC addresses starting with 00:D0?
15. To what devices did the other MAC addresses belong?
16. Did the sending and receiving IPv4 addresses switch in any PDUs?
17. If a ping reply (pong) was sent, did the sending and receiving IP addresses switch?
18. Was there a pattern to the IPv4 addressing in the simulation?
19. Why must different IP networks be assigned to different router ports?
20. If this simulation used IPv6 instead of IPv4, what would change?

Conclusion:
You’ve completed the simulation and reviewed the key concepts for identifying MAC and IP addresses as packets travel through the network. Be sure to subscribe for more Packet Tracer walkthroughs — new ones are uploaded several times per week.