dhcp-wireless-config

A Cisco Packet Tracer lab showing how to configure DHCP on a wireless router to automatically assign IPs to multiple clients. Demonstrates skills in IP addressing, DHCP setup, router management, and connectivity testing—key for network administration, SOC analysis, and cybersecurity roles.

📌 Objective

To configure a wireless router in CISCO Packet Tracer to automatically assign IP addressess to multiple connected PCs using DHCP. This project demonstrates understanding of network topology setup, DHCP configuration, IP addressing, and connectivity verification.

• Connect 3 PCs to a wireless router
• Change the DHCP setting to a specific network range
• Configure the clients to obtain their address via DHCP

🧠 Skills Learned

• Configuring DHCP on a wireless router
• Understanding IP addressing and default gateways
• Setting and modifying DHCP ranges and scopes
• Connecting end devices in a small LAN topology
• Verifying IP configurations using ipconfig and ping
• Network troubleshooting in CISCO Packet Tracer

🛠 Tools & Technologies Used

• Cisco Packet Tracer – for simulating the wireless router, PCs, and network connections
• Command Prompt (CLI) – for verifying IP configuration and network connectivity using ipconfig and ping
• Router Web GUI – to configure router IP and DHCP settings through a browser interface
• DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) – to automatically assign IP addresses to network devices
• IPv4 Addressing & Subnetting – to manage IP address ranges and gateway configuration
• LAN Configuration – connecting multiple devices within a small office/home network
• Network Troubleshooting Tools – using ping and DHCP renewal to verify proper connectivity and routing

🔎 Steps Performed

Scenario A home user wants to use a wireless router to connect 3 PCs. All 3 PCs should obtain their address automatically from the wireless router.

Part 1: Setting up the network topology

1. Add three generic PCs
2. Connect each PC to an Ethernet port to the wireless router using straight-through cables.

Part 2: Observe the default DHCP settings

1. After the amber lights have turned green, click PC0. Click the Desktop tab. Select IP Configuration. Select DHCP to receive an IP address from DHCP Enabled Router. Record the IP address of the default gateway 192.168.0.1

2. Close the IP Configuration window.

3. Open a Web Browser.

4. Enter the IP address of the default gateway recorded earlier into the URL field. When prompted, enter the username admin and password admin.

5. Scroll through the Basic Setup page to view default settings, including the default IP address of the wireless router.

6. Notice that DHCP is enabled, the starting address of the DHCP range and the range of addresses available to clients.

Part 3: Change the default IP address of the wireless router

1. Within the Router IP Settings section, change the IP address to: 192.168.5.1.
2. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click Save Settings.
3. If it is done correctly, the web page will display an error message. Close the web browser.
4. Click IP Configuration to renew the assigned IP address. Click Static. Click DHCP to receive new IP address information from the wireless router.
5. Open the web browser, enter the IP address 192.168.5.1 in the URL field. When prompted, enter the username admin and password admin.

Part 4: Change the default DHCP range of addresses.

1. Notice the DHCP Server Start IP Address is updated to the same network as the Router IP.
2. Change the Starting IP Address from 192.168.5.100 to 192.168.5.126.
3. Change the Maximum Number of Users to 75.
4. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click Save Settings. Close the web browser.
5. Click IP Configuration to renew the assigned IP address. Click Static. Click DHCP to receive new IP address information from the wireless router. Select Command Prompt. Enter ipconfig. 192.168.5.126
6. Select Command Prompt. Enter ipconfig. Record the IP address for PC0: 192.168.5.126

Part 5: Enable DHCP on the other PCs.

1. Click PC1.
2. Select Desktop tab.
3. Select IP Configuration.
4. Click DHCP. Record the IP address for PC1 192.168.5.127
5. Close the configuration window.
6. Enable DHCP on PC2 following the steps for PC1.

Part 6: Verify connectivity

1. Click PC2 and select the Desktop tab.
2. Select Command Prompt.
3. Enter ipconfig at the prompt to view the IP configuration.
4. At the prompt, enter ping 192.168.5.1 to ping the wireless router.
5. At the prompt, enter ping 192.168.5.127 to ping PC1.
6. The pings to all devices should be successful.