Enterprise networking fundamentals, Cisco Packet Tracer labs, and Capture-The-Flag (CTF) challenge solutions for security research and certification preparation.
This repository serves two complementary functions:
- 📖 Cisco Networking Labs — Hands-on lab exercises for routing, switching, security, and WAN design
- 🚩 CTF Challenge Documentation — Detailed writeups and methodologies from Root-Me and other platforms
| Category | Focus | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Topology | Foundational network designs (2-5 routers, switching) | ✅ Complete |
| Routing Protocols | OSPF, BGP, RIP, dynamic routing | ✅ Complete |
| Switching & VLANs | VLAN segmentation, trunking, STP, inter-VLAN routing | ✅ Complete |
| Network Security | ACLs, firewall rules, threat mitigation | ✅ Complete |
| WAN Design | Point-to-point, frame relay, VPN concepts | 🔄 In Progress |
Starting out?
- Begin:
cisco-packet-tracer-labs/basic-topology/ - Progress:
cisco-packet-tracer-labs/routing-protocols/ospf-basic/ - Practice:
cisco-packet-tracer-labs/security-acls/
CCST Preparation?
- Core networking fundamentals
- Routing & switching operations
- Basic security configurations
CCNA Preparation?
- Multi-area OSPF design
- BGP fundamentals
- Advanced ACL filtering
- WAN optimization
cisco-packet-tracer-labs/
├── basic-topology/
│ ├── README.md Lab objectives
│ ├── topology.pkt Packet Tracer file
│ ├── topology-diagram.png Network diagram
│ ├── configuration.md CLI commands
│ └── verification.md Expected results
├── routing-protocols/
│ ├── ospf-basic/
│ ├── ospf-multi-area/
│ ├── bgp-fundamentals/
│ └── rip-configuration/
├── switching-vlans/
│ ├── vlan-configuration/
│ ├── stp-optimization/
│ ├── etherchannel/
│ └── inter-vlan-routing/
├── security-acls/
│ ├── standard-acls/
│ ├── extended-acls/
│ ├── named-acls/
│ └── firewall-zones/
└── wan-design/
├── point-to-point/
├── frame-relay/
└── vpn-tunnels/
# 1. Download Cisco Packet Tracer
# https://www.netacad.com/resources/packet-tracer
# 2. Open lab file
open cisco-packet-tracer-labs/basic-topology/topology.pkt
# 3. Study configuration
cat cisco-packet-tracer-labs/basic-topology/configuration.md
# 4. Practice in simulation mode
# - Enter Simulation mode in Packet Tracer
# - Verify connectivity with ping/traceroute
# - Test configurations
# 5. Validate results
cat cisco-packet-tracer-labs/basic-topology/verification.md| Category | Progress | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Programming | 4/4 | ✅ Complete |
| Network | 3/3 | ✅ Complete |
| Web Client | 4/4 | ✅ Complete |
| Web Server | 4/4 | ✅ Complete |
| Cryptography | 3/3 | ✅ Complete |
| Steganography | 3/3 | ✅ Complete |
| Difficulty | Progress | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Easy | 15/15 | ✅ Complete |
| Medium | 10/14 | 🔄 In Progress |
| Hard | 2/7 | 🔄 In Progress |
ctf/
├── README.md (this file)
├── ctf-root-me/
│ ├── challenges/
│ │ ├── ctf-training-easy/
│ │ │ ├── challenge-001.md
│ │ │ ├── challenge-002.md
│ │ │ └── ...
│ │ ├── ctf-training-medium/
│ │ │ └── (writeups in progress)
│ │ ├── discovery-program/
│ │ │ ├── programming/
│ │ │ ├── network/
│ │ │ ├── web-client/
│ │ │ ├── web-server/
│ │ │ ├── cryptography/
│ │ │ └── steganography/
│ │ └── solutions/
│ │ └── writeups/
│ └── progress.md Tracking & methodology notes
└── other-platforms/ (Future expansion)
Each writeup follows this structure:
# Challenge Name
## Problem Statement
[Description of the challenge]
## Reconnaissance
[Information gathering phase]
## Solution Approach
[Step-by-step methodology]
## Key Concepts
- Concept 1
- Concept 2
- Concept 3
## Tools Used
- Tool 1
- Tool 2
## Lessons Learned
[Takeaways and applications]
## Resources
[References and documentation]router ospf 1
network 192.168.1.0 0.0.0.255 area 0
network 192.168.2.0 0.0.0.255 area 0
network 10.0.0.0 0.0.0.255 area 1
default-information originate
vlan 10
name Management
vlan 20
name Data
interface range GigabitEthernet0/1-2
switchport mode trunk
switchport trunk allowed vlan 10,20
access-list 101 permit tcp any 192.168.1.0 0.0.0.255 eq 443
access-list 101 permit tcp any 192.168.1.0 0.0.0.255 eq 80
access-list 101 deny ip any 192.168.0.0 0.0.255.255
access-list 101 permit ip any any
interface GigabitEthernet0/0
ip access-group 101 in
| Guide | Purpose |
|---|---|
| SSD Clone & GPT Guide | Disk cloning & partition recovery |
| OSPF Configuration Guide | Routing deep-dive |
| ACL Best Practices | Security design patterns |
- Cisco CCST — Q3 2026
- Cisco CCNA — Q4 2026
- Complete all basic topology labs
- Master routing protocols (OSPF, BGP)
- Practice switching and VLAN configurations
- Implement security (ACLs, firewalls)
- Design WAN topologies
| Repository | Purpose |
|---|---|
| sovereign-ai-infrastructure | Lab architecture |
| proxmox-homelab-setup | Physical infrastructure |
| infrastructure-as-code-lab | Network automation |
┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ ISP / Internet │
└────────────────────┬─────────────────────────────────────┘
│
┌───────────┴───────────┐
│ │
┌─────▼──────┐ ┌──────▼──┐
│ Router R1 │────────│ Router R2│ (OSPF/BGP)
│ (Core) │ │ (Border)│
└──┬──────┬──┘ └──┬──────┬┘
│ │ │ │
┌──▼──┐ ┌─▼──┐ ┌──┐ │ ┌─▼──┐
│ SW1 │ │SW2 │ │FW│ │ │ SW3│
└──┬──┘ └────┘ └──┘ │ └────┘
│ VLAN 10,20,30 │
┌──┴────────────┐ ┌───▼────┐
│ Hosts │ │ DMZ │
│ PCs/Server │ │Servers │
└───────────────┘ └────────┘
| Component | Status | Last Updated |
|---|---|---|
| Cisco Labs | ✅ Active | 2026-07-05 |
| Basic Topology | ✅ Complete | 2026-07-05 |
| OSPF & BGP | ✅ Complete | 2026-07-05 |
| VLANs & Switching | ✅ Complete | 2026-07-05 |
| Security/ACLs | ✅ Complete | 2026-07-05 |
| WAN Design | 🔄 In Progress | 2026-07-05 |
| CTF Training | ✅ Active | 2026-07-05 |
| Document | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Lab Guide | Detailed lab instructions |
| Configuration Reference | CLI command reference |
| Topology Diagrams | Network visualizations |
| CTF Writeups | Challenge solutions |
Network engineering fundamentals. Hands-on practice. Certification preparation. CTF methodology refinement.