Star Topology, undoubtedly is the most common network topology. It is one of the most used network layout being used in banks, educational institutes, offices, schools and other organizations. But before configuring star topology directly in real life environment, it is always good to first design star network layout logically. This logical design will provide you with certain opportunities to improve your network design. In this post, I will be giving you a detailed step by step tutorial to Configure Star topology in CISCO Packet Tracer.

See: Pros and Cons of using Star Topology Network

Configuring Star Topology Network in Cisco Packet Tracer [Step by Step Tutorial]

Cisco Packet Tracer is most widely used networking tool used in academics and industry. Network professionals use it to create logical design of a network before physical configuration of Computer Network. So, before physically configuring Star Topology in Computer Network it is important to create logical layout using this tool. In this section, I am providing a detailed step by step tutorial to configure Star Topology using Cisco Packet Tracer.

Before you Begin Tutorial

Before beginning this tutorial I find it extremely necessary for you to understand prerequisites first. There are no complex and difficult concepts. If you already have knowledge about these you are welcome to skip. But going through these will be really helpful. You must understand the following concepts first:

1. Basic Concepts of Star Topology
2. Download and Install Cisco Packet Tracer
3. IP Addressing

Open Cisco Packet Tracer and Open Networking Device Menu (Step No 1)

In the first step you simply need to open Cisco Packet Tracer. To configuring Star Topology you will need a central device. For this purpose, Network Administrators prefer using a Network Switch. You can select Network Switch from toolbox present at the bottom of Cisco Packet Tracer. From toolbox, select the option containing Switches. This will display different switches for you.

Select Desired Switch Model (Step No 2)

From this list of switches you can use any one. But I personally recommend using model 2950-24 switch for beginners. Go ahead, drag the 2950-24 switch and drop it on the drawing area for initializing network design.

Choose End Devices for your Star Network (Step No 3)

End devices are another important aspect of a computer network. By end device we simply mean any sort of device which is being used by user including computer, smartphone or printer. Type of end devices that you will be using totally depends upon your needs. You can select devices of your choice from toolbox menu titled as end devices.

Draw End Devices of your Star Network on the Drawing Area (Step No 4)

As I have mentioned earlier that there will be a variety of end devices present in the menu. You can choose any of these. However, for the sake of simplicity, I have selected two desktop computers and two laptop computers as end devices. In this step, you will need to drag and drop these devices on the drawing area. This will be done in one by one fashion.

Choose Connecting Cable for Device Connections (Step No 5)

Go to the ‘Connections Menu’ from the toolbox and select ‘Copper Straight Through Cable’ for connecting all the end devices with the switch. This cable will serve as medium for transferring data from one device to the other.

Initiating Cable Connections (Step No 6)

For initiation of connections, first of all you will need to click ‘Copper Straight Through Cable’. After clicking it you will see that your mouse pointer has changed its icon. Move the pointer to the end device and click on it. You will see a menu appearing right close to the computer. It will be displaying two options: 1) RS 232 and 2) Fast Ethernet. Choose the second option.

Completing Cable Connections (Step No 7)

To complete connection of an end device, move mouse pointer to a switch and click on it. You will be seeing a list of options. Each option represent a switch port. Click on any option for completing connections. [Note: Use Fast Ethernet options for connecting computing devices to switch network device]

Connecting All Devices to Central Switch (Step No 8)

Repeat Step No 6 and Step No 7 for all the remaining computers present on the drawing area. At the end of this step, you will be able to see layout of a typical star topology network. Have a look at the following picture:

Open Device Settings (Step No 9)

First of all let me clarify one thing for your convenience. For properly configuring computer network in star topology you will have to repeat the upcoming steps for each computer in your network. As I have only four computers, so I will need to repeat upcoming steps four times only.

In this step, you will need to open computer device settings. For this, place mouse icon over the computer and click it.

Device Settings Interface (Step No 10)

When you click on any of the computers, its device configuration settings will open. You will see a lot of options there. I will be providing detailed tutorial on these two but for now we are only interested in ‘Desktop Tab’ right on the top tabs.

Open Desktop Menu and Select IP Configuration Settings (Step No 11)

From different tabs in the computer device settings, click on tab titled as ‘Desktop’. You will be seeing following options on the desktop. From these options select ‘IP Configuration’.

Configure IP Address and Subnet Mask (Step No 12)

This is the last and most critical step in configuring star topology using cisco packet tracer. Make sure Static option is checked. Type IP address and Subnet mask as shown in picture.

 

You can use any IP address but please make sure all the IP addresses belong to the same class. I have used following IP address configuration for end devices.

Device Name	IP Address	Subnet Mask
PC0	155.178.1.1	255.255.0.0
PC1	155.178.1.2	255.255.0.0
Laptop0	155.178.1.3	255.255.0.0
Laptop1	155.178.1.4	255.255.0.0

How to Test Star Topology in Cisco Packet Tracer?

Testing is extremely necessary to see if you have done all the things right or not. If done right, then you can simply configure this computer network in physical environment. However, in case there is a problem, then you can troubleshoot it first before going to physical environment. In this section, I will give you a tutorial on testing star topology in cisco packet tracer. Here are few quick steps to do it.

Select Sample PDU to Initiate Testing (Step 13)

Choose Message Sender (Step 14)

Drop Message PDU on Receiver (Step 15)

See Results (Step 16)

Final Thoughts

So here we are. I hope that by following this Step by Step Tutorial to Configure Star Topology in Cisco Packet Tracer you will be able to create your own computer network. However, in case you need any help or any feedback please feel free to contact me. Stay tuned for more….