Lab 2 – Switch Basic Configuration

In this lab, I configure and secure two access-layer switches using Cisco Packet Tracer, following real-world best practices used in production networks. This video focuses on foundational switch security and management settings that must be in place before moving on to VLANs and trunking. 🔐 What’s Covered in This Lab Configuring switch identity and basic global security Securing console access with passwords and timeouts Creating and configuring a dedicated management VLAN (VLAN 99) Assigning management IP addresses and default gateway Shutting down unused switch ports to reduce attack surface Verifying configurations using standard show commands 🧪 Lab Details Devices: Access-SW1 and Access-SW2 Topology: CCNA Master Lab Topology Management VLAN: VLAN 99 Purpose: Establish a secure, clean foundation for future VLAN and trunking labs By the end of this lab, both switches are hardened, manageable, and ready for Layer 2 configuration. This is a critical step for anyone preparing for the CCNA or building strong networking fundamentals. 📌 Next Lab: VLAN and Trunking Configuration #CCNA #Cisco #SwitchSecurity #PacketTracer #Networking #VLAN #NetworkSecurity