In this lab, we utilized the same network topology as the previous lab, which involved configuring static routes. However, the goal of this lab was to troubleshoot the misconfigurations that were causing PC1 and PC2 to not be able to ping each other. The objective was to gain hands-on experience in troubleshooting static routing issues. Upon successfully fixing the misconfigurations and allowing PC1 to ping PC2, the lab was considered a success.
In this step, we attempted to run a ping test from PC1 to PC2 using PC2’s IP address of 192.168.3.1. However, the ping test failed due to a misconfiguration in the routers. This failure highlights the importance of proper configuration in order to establish network connectivity. Our next step is to identify and resolve the misconfigurations in the routers to complete the lab successfully.
Before moving on to troubleshooting the static routes, it is important to check the configuration of the PCs to ensure that they are set up correctly. This can be done by running the “ipconfig /all” command in a Windows environment.
This step provides us with valuable information about the PC’s configuration, such as its IP address, default gateway, and MAC address. Before troubleshooting the static routes, it is important to verify that the PC is properly configured. By pinging the default gateway, which is assigned to the g0/1 interface of router R1, we can ensure that the PC can reach other networks. As the result of the ping test shows, we are able to successfully communicate with the default gateway. Now we can move on to troubleshooting the static routes.
Next, we will move on to R1 to search for the first misconfiguration. To do this, we will access the privileged exec mode and verify the interface configuration using the “show IP interface brief” command. Upon checking, the addresses appear to be correct and both interfaces are shown in their proper status and protocol columns. This indicates that the interface configurations are correct.
Let’s move on to checking and correcting the routing table on Router 1. To do this, we will enter privileged exec mode and run the command “show IP route”. Upon examining the routing table, we noticed that the static route for the 192.168.1.0/24 network was incorrect. The next hop address specified was 192.168.12.3, but it should have been 192.168.12.2, which is the IP address of Router 2’s g0/0 interface. To fix this misconfiguration, we first removed the incorrect route using the command “no IP route 192.168.3.0 255.255.255.0 192.168.12.3”. Then, we entered the correct command to add the static route “IP route 192.168.3.0 255.255.255.0 192.168.12.2”.
Moving forward, we will proceed to troubleshoot the configuration on router 2. Upon examination, we observe that the static route to the network 192.168.3.0/24 has been wrongly configured to use the g0/0 interface as the exit point for the data. The correct configuration should be using the g0/1 interface instead. We corrected this issue by adjusting the configuration accordingly.
Finally, we will turn our attention to Router R3. Upon closer inspection, an issue with its interface configuration is evident. It appears that the IP address of Router R3’s g0/0 interface is listed as 192.168.23.3 instead of the correct address of 192.168.13.3. To resolve this, we will enter terminal configuration mode and navigate to the g0/0 interface with the command “interface g0/0”. The previous incorrect configuration will be replaced, unlike in earlier steps where the “no” command was used to remove misconfigured static routes.
Since there is only one misconfiguration per router, we expect to be able to successfully ping PC2 now. Let’s run the ping test one more time to verify. It’s possible that the first few pings may fail due to ARP, but the subsequent pings should succeed. As we can see, the pinging of PC2 was successful.
In conclusion, this troubleshooting lab allowed us to apply our knowledge of static routes and identify misconfigurations in the network. By carefully examining the interfaces and routing tables of each router, we were able to locate the issues and fix them. The successful ping test of PC2 confirms that our fixes were effective and the network is now functioning properly. This lab provided valuable experience in troubleshooting real-world network scenarios and reinforced the importance of attention to detail in network configurations.
We have successfully completed the Troubleshooting Static Routes Lab as outlined by Jeremy’s IT Lab. This lab was a part of his Free CCNA 200–301 course which can be accessed on his YouTube channel here — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8W9oMNSuwo&list=PLxbwE86jKRgMpuZuLBivzlM8s2Dk5lXBQ.
