Lab Exercise 1.01: Network Hardware and Software - buaamer81/IT130-Networking-Wiki GitHub Wiki

🧪 Lab Exercise 1.01: Network Hardware and Software

📘 Lab Overview

In this foundational lab, you will explore how your computer connects to a network—both physically (NICs, cables, switches) and logically (IP/MAC addresses, protocols). You’ll inspect your system, capture network configuration data, and map components to the OSI model.

🎯 Learning Objectives

By completing this lab, you will be able to:

  • Identify a computer’s NIC (Network Interface Card)
  • Recognize different physical connectors and cables
  • Find your system’s IP address, MAC address, and gateway
  • Determine the manufacturer of your NIC via MAC lookup
  • Understand which OSI layers each component operates on

🧪 Lab Instructions

✅ Step 1: Identify Your NIC

  • Open Device Manager (Win + X → Device Manager)
  • Expand Network adapters to locate your NIC
  • Record its name/type (e.g., Intel Ethernet, Realtek Wireless)
  • Note if it is built-in, PCIe, or USB

📘 OSI Mapping:

  • Layer 1: Physical (signal transfer)
  • Layer 2: Data Link (MAC address)

✅ Step 2: Check Network Cable (If Wired)

  • Look at the cable connected to your NIC
  • Identify cable type (e.g., Cat5e, Cat6)
  • Note the connector: typically RJ-45
  • Trace to a wall jack, switch, or router

📘 OSI Layer: Layer 1 – Physical

✅ Step 3: View Installed Protocols

  • Go to Control Panel → Network and Sharing Center → Change Adapter Settings
  • Right-click your NIC → Properties
  • List the installed protocols (e.g., IPv4, IPv6, Client for Microsoft Networks)

📘 OSI Layer: Layer 3+ – Protocol Operations

✅ Step 4: Get IP & MAC Info

Open Command Prompt and type:

ipconfig /all

🔍 Record:

  • IPv4 Address

  • Physical (MAC) Address

  • Default Gateway

📘 OSI Layers:

  • MAC Address → Layer 2

  • IP Address → Layer 3

✅ Step 5: NIC Manufacturer Lookup

📘 OUI stands for Organizationally Unique Identifier (first 6 characters of MAC).

✅ Step 6: Locate the Switch/Router

  • Trace the Ethernet cable (if wired) to the switch or router.
  • Identify:
    • Switch (Layer 2 device)
    • Router (Layer 3 device)
  • Record the device’s model (if visible).

📘 OSI Mapping:

  • Switch → Layer 2
  • Router → Layer 3

✅ Step 7: Capture and Summarize Your System Info

Here’s a sample format you can fill in:

- NIC: Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 7265
- MAC Address: 34-6B-46-AA-BB-CC
- IP Address: 192.168.0.101
- Default Gateway: 192.168.0.1
- Manufacturer: Intel Corporation
- Connected To: Netgear GS308 (Switch)

📤 Submission Format

If submitting this lab for grading:

  • Export a .docx or .pdf file
  • Your submission must include:
    • ✅ Screenshots (cropped and clearly labeled)
    • ✅ Typed answers (organized by step: Step 1a, 1b, etc.)
    • ✅ A header page with:
      • Your Name
      • Course: IT130 Networking
      • Assignment: Lab Exercise 1.01
  • View full summary: See local repo → labs/Lab-1.01/
  • Reports: Lab-1.01_With_Screenshots.docx
  • Screenshots: stored in /labs/Lab-1.01/screenshots/

🔁 OSI Layer Quick Map

Component OSI Layer
Ethernet Cable Layer 1 – Physical
NIC Layer 1 & 2
MAC Address Layer 2 – Data Link
IP Address Layer 3 – Network
Switch Layer 2 – Data Link
Router Layer 3 – Network

🔗 Related Wiki Pages

⬅️ Return to: [Chapter 1]] ](/buaamer81/IT130-Networking-Wiki/wiki/[[Labs)