CCNA & CCNP practice labs — hands-on Cisco CML scenarios

Layer-2 Trunk EtherChannel Carrying Multiple VLANs

Build a two-link LACP EtherChannel between SW1 and SW2 and convert the Port-channel into an 802.1Q trunk that explicitly carries VLANs 40 and 41. Validate end-to-end host reachability across VLAN 40 and confirm the trunk’s allowed VLAN list and switchport mode on the logical port-channel. Emphasis: deterministic EtherChannel configuration on member interfaces, correct trunking on the Port-channel, and verification with IOS show commands.

CCNA55 min5 objectives

EtherChannel Load Balancing with LACP (VLAN 60)

Build a two-link LACP EtherChannel between two layer-2 switches as an access port for VLAN 60, then tune the global load-balancing algorithm to src-dst-ip so traffic distributes more evenly. Verify Po6 status, the hashing method, and end-to-end host reachability.

CCNA & CCNP35 min5 objectives

PAgP EtherChannel: Desirable/Auto Negotiation

Build a Layer-2 PAgP EtherChannel between two ioll2-xe switches (SW1 and SW2) using a desirable/auto pairing on two parallel links. Bundle Ethernet0/0 and Ethernet0/1 into Port-channel 3, make the port-channel a VLAN 30 access interface on both switches, and verify with show etherchannel summary, show pagp neighbor, show pagp counters, and end-to-end host pings in VLAN 30.

CCNA35 min4 objectives

Lab 7: EtherChannel + Rapid-PVST — One Logical Link

Build an LACP Layer-2 EtherChannel between SW1 and SW2 so Rapid-PVST+ treats two parallel links as one logical Port-channel 7. Without EtherChannel, STP will block one of the two access links. With LACP active on both members and Port-channel 7 as an access port in VLAN 70, STP shows a single forwarding interface (Po7) and both physical links forward as one logical channel. Two hosts in VLAN 70 verify end-to-end connectivity.

CCNA & CCNP45 min5 objectives

DHCP: Verify Leases, Pools and Conflicts

Hands-on IOS DHCP server practice focused on validating pool state, inspecting conflicts, and fixing a real address conflict caused by a legacy static host on the LAN. You will verify server-side leases and exclusions, observe a conflict entry, then permanently exclude the static IP and clear the stale conflict so a client can obtain a clean address.

CCNA45 min5 objectives

Spanning Tree Fundamentals: Root Election & Port Roles

Beginner CCNA lab on a redundant two-switch Layer-2 loop with two parallel uplinks. You will enable Rapid-PVST+, set a deterministic root-bridge priority so SW1 becomes the root for VLAN 1, and verify port roles (root/designated/alternate) and loop prevention. Two Alpine hosts in VLAN 1 validate end-to-end connectivity without any routing or SVIs.

CCNA45 min5 objectives

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STP Lab 7: Rapid-PVST+ Migration on Triangle Loop

Migrate a three-switch triangle from legacy PVST to Rapid-PVST+ without changing the existing root or blocked port. SW1 remains the deterministic root for VLAN 70 (priority 4096). Verify protocol mode, link types (point-to-point vs edge), and end-to-end host reachability, then observe the faster reconvergence behavior of Rapid-PVST+.

CCNA & CCNP45 min5 objectives

Root Guard on Designated Ports

Advanced Rapid-PVST+ and Root Guard implementation on a three-switch triangle with a real loop. SW1 is the intentional root for VLAN 90 and protects its designated ports with Root Guard to prevent root re-parenting. Two Alpine hosts on VLAN 90 verify end-to-end forwarding remains stable even if a superior BPDU appears downstream.

CCNA & CCNP50 min7 objectives

STP 5: PortFast on Access Ports (VLAN 50 Triangle)

Configure PortFast correctly on access ports in a triangle switch loop while maintaining normal STP protection on inter-switch trunks. Force SW1 as the root for VLAN 50 and verify that only edge ports are fast-tracked. Observe the difference in host convergence with and without PortFast.

CCNA45 min5 objectives

STP Lab 8: Per-VLAN Load Balancing Across Two Roots

Use Rapid-PVST+ to elect different root bridges per VLAN across two parallel trunks, spreading VLAN 80 and VLAN 81 across distinct physical links without modifying path cost or port priority. Validate independent per-VLAN trees and confirm hosts in VLAN 80 can communicate over the surviving path. Includes a drift-check to diagnose/restore trunk allow-lists.

CCNA & CCNP65 min6 objectives

STP 10: Spanning Tree Troubleshooting Capstone

Advanced Rapid-PVST+ troubleshooting on a 3-switch triangle with a real Layer-2 loop. Two deliberate faults are seeded: an unintended root bridge wins VLAN 100 due to a mis-set/default priority, and PortFast/BPDU Guard are mistakenly applied on an inter-switch trunk. Two Alpine hosts in VLAN 100 verify user impact. Your job: use show commands to diagnose, then restore the correct root and remove edge features from the trunk while preserving them on access ports.

CCNA & CCNP70 min5 objectives

STP 2: Controlling the Root Bridge with Priority

Beginner CCNA STP lab on a three-switch triangle with two hosts in VLAN 20. You will deliberately control the Spanning Tree root election using the root primary/secondary macros so SW1 is the active root and SW2 is the standby. The baseline already provides VLANs and trunks; your job is to set root priorities deterministically and verify the resulting roles and port states without introducing any Layer-3.

CCNA35 min5 objectives