Building and Testing a Basic Network in Packet Tracer

Let's create a simple network with one switch and three PCs in Packet Tracer involves a few steps. Here's a basic guide:

Open Packet Tracer:

Launch Packet Tracer on your computer.

Select Devices:

Go to the left side of the screen where the device palette is located.

Choose a switch from the "Switches" category and drag it to the workspace.

Connect Devices:

From the "End Devices" category, select a PC and drag three instances onto the workspace.

Use the connection tool in the toolbar to connect the PCs to the switch. Click on a device, then click on the switch to create connections.

Configure Devices:

Click on each PC and the switch to open their configuration panels on the right.

For simplicity, you can keep the configurations basic. Set IP addresses on the PCs if needed.

Save Your Project:

Save your project to ensure you don't lose your work.

Test the Network:

Enter simulation mode by clicking on the lightning bolt icon in the toolbar.

Use the "Desktop" tab on each PC to check network connectivity and perform basic tests.

Verify Connections:

Check the switch to see the status of each port. You should see three active ports connected to the PCs.

Troubleshoot (if necessary):

If the network isn't functioning as expected, go back to the workspace and the configuration panels to troubleshoot. Check IP configurations and cable connections.