Network Design and concepts

So while I am downloading a bunch of ISO's ( Visio included :-) ) and prepping VM's, I thought we can have a look at some network concepts.

 

My networking experience is very limited so please excuse the basic approach i have taken.....

 

What I would like to achieve with the network is to be able to have full control over the links connecting three network segments. This will enable me to mimic a link failure between sites.

 

 

 

With concept 1 I can control links between my network segments, but will require more Memory overhead as this concept requires three vRouters/firewalls.

 

Concept 2 has less memory over overhead but also limited control between my segregated networks.

 

Once I have identified which virtual routing devices i will use I will start deploying the network.

 

 

UPDATE:

Okay so after some research I realised that my thoughts around the network conception for the Lab were flawed. Nonetheless I downloaded Vyatta Community edition to for my virtual routers. (http://www.vyatta.org/downloads) [note the versions]

i configed a linux other 2.6.x vm with the following :

-vcpu

-128mb memory

-2gb VMDK

-two Virtual NIC's

I booted up with the LiveCD.iso. you need to logon before you can invoke the install command.

I logged on using "vyatta" as the username and password. the "install system" command is used to install OS to disk. I used the default values at the prompts to complete installation.

Now that I installed one vRouter. it was time to draw my network layout:

 

I decided to keep it basic so i stuck with default class C subnets and matched the numbering in the last octect of the IP on the interfaces of my Routers,as indicated on diagram.

 

192.168.0.0/24 will be used for the "Core network"

192.168.1.0/24 will be used for site 1 "JHB"

192.168.2.0/24 will be used for site 1 "CPT"

192.168.3.0/24 will be used for site 1 "DBN"

 

I found this really cool blog that deals with networking labs, which was quite handy in the configuring of the routing and routers : http://roggyblog.blogspot.com/

I used these video's to setup the routers and routing :

 

 

 I created the Labhat.local domain and configured my sites:

 













 

 

ESXI networking screendump:

 

 

As you can see the network is isolated in vmware, with no link to the uplink NIC.

 

 

 

 

 



Hardware updated

Good Morning

After replacing my MSI z77 motherboard with a Gigabyte GA-B75M-D3H, I still encountered problems Post ESXI5.1 installation. Even though the ESXI5.1 detected the on-board NIC and installed with success, I encountered issues with comms to and from the NIC. I was unable to ping my default GW and unable to ping the ESXI host from any node on the same network segment.  After about 3 hours of throubleshooting and consulting with others, I discovered that the NIC was not auto detecting 1000MB full duplex . This was caused by my cheap 10/100/1000 8-port Gigabyte autosensing switch. After unplugging , replugging it sensed 1000MB Full Duplex on the NIC and comms started working to and from the NIC.  The Board is running F12 BIOS.

I have completed my ESXI5.1 installation which is now running on the following setup:

- Gigabyte GA-B75m-D3H rev1.1 ( BIOS version f12 )
- 4 x 8GB DDR 1600 Apacer memory
- Intel Core i3 3220 CPU
- 2 x 1TB SATA II HDD
- 1 x 80GB SATA II HDD
- 2GB Memory stick/key
- 450 watt PSU

In my next post I will discuss network considerations  for my Microsoft Lab.

Procurement of hardware and introduction

Good Afternoon.

Over the next couple of days/weeks I will be deploying a Home Lab Using relatively cheap components to build a Test/Dev environment.

The main objective will be to check out some of the new features and benefits of the Microsoft Products.

I have purchased the following hardware:
- Intel Core i3 3220 Processor
- MSI Z77A-G43 Motherboard ( Bios Version 2.7, which does not work on ESXI5.1) [ Board to be swopped out for a compatible Gigabyte board TBA ]
- 32GB of Apacer memory
- 450watt Thermaltake Powersupply
- a Spare ATX case I had doing nothing.
- 2 x 1TB SATA 2 HDD
- 1 x 80GB Sata 2 HDD

I am hoping to setup the following technology  :

2 AD forests
    - Three AD sites ( Forest 1 ) [ sites: HQ and two Branch sites ]
    - Forest Root Domain ( Forest 2  )
    -ADFS
-IPAM for DHCP/DNS Management
-BranchCache
-Direct Access
-System Center Configuration manager
-System Center Operation manager
-System Center VMM
-Exchange server 2013
-Running Hyper-V 2012 nested inside VM.
-WDS

The Goal posts will change I see fit.

I will be using Vswitches together with vRouter software to emulate network infrastructure.
I still need to decide where the "internet" breakout will be for the organisation.

First step of the deployment procedure will be how to downgrade the BIOS from version 2.7 to version 2.5. Some G00gling led to people confirming that after the introduction of UEFI to the NIC , EXSI 5.1 does not pickup the NIC.