A Professor Wingman Class 404
NetMgmt.Lab

Practice Projects

Prove what you can do

Six beginner-friendly projects you can complete on your own or alongside the workbook. Each one ends with an artifact for your portfolio.

Project 1

My Computer Network Profile

Skill: System & network inventory

Tools: Built-in OS tools

Steps

  1. Open Settings / System Info
  2. Find computer name, OS, storage, network adapter
  3. Run ipconfig / ifconfig
  4. Record IP, subnet, gateway

Evidence: Screenshots of System Info and ipconfig output.

Portfolio artifact: One-page Computer Network Profile report.

Project 2

Draw My Home Network

Skill: Network diagramming

Tools: Diagram tool of your choice

Steps

  1. List every device that connects to your modem/router
  2. Identify wired vs wireless
  3. Draw modem → router → devices
  4. Label connection types

Evidence: Exported PNG of the diagram.

Portfolio artifact: Home Network Diagram.

Project 3

Build a Virtual LAN

Skill: LAN design in simulation

Tools: Cisco Packet Tracer

Steps

  1. Add two PCs and a switch
  2. Assign IPs in the same subnet
  3. Verify connectivity with ping
  4. Save the .pkt file

Evidence: Screenshot of successful ping + .pkt file.

Portfolio artifact: Two-PC LAN in Packet Tracer.

Project 4

Observe a Ping

Skill: Packet capture & analysis

Tools: Wireshark

Steps

  1. Start a capture on your active interface
  2. Ping 8.8.8.8 (or your gateway)
  3. Filter for ICMP
  4. Note request/reply pairs

Evidence: Screenshot of filtered ICMP traffic.

Portfolio artifact: Annotated capture report.

Project 5

Approved Scan Practice

Skill: Host & port discovery

Tools: Nmap

Steps

  1. Confirm your target is your own VM or approved
  2. Run nmap -sn against your subnet
  3. Run nmap -sV against your VM
  4. Document open ports

Evidence: Saved Nmap output (-oN).

Portfolio artifact: Scan summary report.

Project 6

Build a Basic Physical LAN

Skill: Cabling and end-to-end connectivity

Tools: Two computers, router, Ethernet cables

Steps

  1. Cable both PCs to the router
  2. Verify IPs from DHCP
  3. Ping between PCs
  4. Transfer a file

Evidence: Photo of the build + ping screenshot.

Portfolio artifact: Final physical LAN build report.