to Computer Network Fundamentals Lab Reports Using ENSP

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Computer network fundamentals form the cornerstone of modern IT infrastructure, and hands-on experimentation is critical for understanding core concepts. Huawei's Enterprise Network Simulation Platform (ENSP) has emerged as a powerful tool for simulating real-world network environments. This lab report explores the application of ENSP in designing, configuring, and troubleshooting basic network topologies, providing insights into key protocols and methodologies.

to Computer Network Fundamentals Lab Reports Using ENSP

Overview of ENSP

ENSP is an integrated simulation tool developed by Huawei to emulate enterprise-level network devices, including routers, switches, and firewalls. It supports protocols such as VLAN, OSPF, STP, and ACLs, enabling users to build virtual networks that mirror physical setups. Unlike physical labs, ENSP reduces hardware costs and simplifies complex configurations, making it ideal for educational and testing purposes.

Lab Setup and Objectives

The experiment focused on three primary objectives:

  1. Topology Design: Creating a multi-device network with routers, switches, and end hosts.
  2. VLAN Configuration: Segmenting broadcast domains to optimize traffic flow.
  3. Routing Protocols: Implementing OSPF for dynamic route management.

The simulated topology included two Huawei AR1220 routers, three S5700 switches, and four PCs. ENSP's drag-and-drop interface allowed seamless device placement and connection via Ethernet and serial links.

Step-by-Step Configuration

1. Device Initialization

All devices were reset to factory defaults. Basic IP addressing was assigned to router interfaces:

  • Router 1: 192.168.1.1/24 (GigabitEthernet 0/0/0)
  • Router 2: 192.168.2.1/24 (GigabitEthernet 0/0/1)

2. VLAN Implementation on Switches

VLANs 10 (Sales) and 20 (HR) were created on Switch 1 and Switch 2. Ports connecting to PCs were assigned to respective VLANs using:

system-view 
vlan batch 10 20 
interface GigabitEthernet 0/0/1 
port link-type access 
port default vlan 10

Inter-switch links were configured as trunks to carry multiple VLAN traffic.

3. OSPF Routing Configuration

OSPF was enabled on both routers to automate path selection:

ospf 1 
area 0 
network 192.168.1.0 0.0.0.255 
network 192.168.2.0 0.0.0.255

This ensured dynamic updates when network changes occurred.

Results and Analysis

After configuration, connectivity tests were performed:

  • Intra-VLAN Communication: PCs within the same VLAN (e.g., Sales) achieved ping success rates of 100%.
  • Inter-VLAN Routing: PCs in VLAN 10 could communicate with VLAN 20 via the router, with an average latency of 2.3 ms.
  • OSPF Convergence: Route tables updated within 12 seconds after simulating a link failure, demonstrating efficient reconvergence.

Packet captures using Wireshark confirmed proper ARP resolution and OSPF hello packet exchanges. However, a misconfigured ACL initially blocked inter-VLAN traffic, highlighting the importance of access control verification.

Challenges and Solutions

  1. Device Synchronization Issues: ENSP occasionally froze during heavy traffic simulations. Restarting the virtual machines and allocating more RAM resolved this.
  2. VLAN Tagging Errors: Untagged trunk ports caused VLAN mismatches. Reconfiguring switches with port trunk allow-pass vlan all fixed the issue.
  3. OSPF Neighbor Failures: Mismatched area IDs prevented adjacency. Ensuring both routers used Area 0 restored connectivity.

Pedagogical Value

This lab reinforced theoretical concepts such as:

  • Subnetting: Efficient IP allocation across departments.
  • Layer 2 vs. Layer 3: Contrasting VLAN isolation with router-based intercommunication.
  • Convergence Protocols: The role of OSPF in scalable networks.

ENSP's visualization tools, including real-time topology maps and packet tracers, bridged the gap between abstract theory and practical implementation.

The ENSP lab provided a comprehensive platform for mastering network fundamentals. By simulating real-world scenarios, students gain confidence in configuring complex systems while minimizing risks associated with physical hardware. Future work could expand into advanced topics like IPv6 migration or firewall policy design. As networks evolve, tools like ENSP will remain indispensable for nurturing skilled network engineers.

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