Cisco Packet Tracer cheat sheet
All Essential Commands for Routers, Switches, and Network Basics
Basic Device Navigation
enable
Enter privileged EXEC mode (admin access).
configure terminal
Enter global configuration mode.
exit
Go back one level.
end
Exit configuration mode completely.
Device Setup
Set Hostname
Router> enable
Router# configure terminal
Router(config)# hostname R1 # Rename router to "R1" Set Banner Message
R1(config)# banner motd #Unauthorized Access Prohibited# Interface Configuration
Assign IP Address to Interface
R1(config)# interface gigabitethernet0/0
R1(config-if)# ip address 192.168.1.1 255.255.255.0
R1(config-if)# no shutdown # Turn on the interface Set Interface Description
R1(config-if)# description "Connected to Office LAN" Password Security
Console Password
R1(config)# line console 0
R1(config-line)# password cisco
R1(config-line)# login Enable Secret Password
R1(config)# enable secret class123 # Encrypted password VTY (Remote Access) Password
R1(config)# line vty 0 4
R1(config-line)# password cisco
R1(config-line)# login
R1(config-line)# transport input ssh # Restrict to SSH Encrypt Passwords
R1(config)# service password-encryption Routing Basics
Static Route
R1(config)# ip route 192.168.2.0 255.255.255.0 10.0.0.2
# Route traffic for 192.168.2.0 to next-hop 10.0.0.2 RIP Configuration
R1(config)# router rip
R1(config-router)# version 2
R1(config-router)# network 192.168.1.0 OSPF Configuration
R1(config)# router ospf 1
R1(config-router)# network 192.168.1.0 0.0.0.255 area 0 EIGRP Configuration
R1(config)# router eigrp 100
R1(config-router)# network 192.168.1.0 Switch Configuration
VLAN Setup
Switch(config)# vlan 10
Switch(config-vlan)# name Sales Assign Port to VLAN
Switch(config)# interface fastethernet0/1
Switch(config-if)# switchport mode access
Switch(config-if)# switchport access vlan 10 Trunk Port Configuration
Switch(config-if)# switchport mode trunk SSH Configuration
R1(config)# ip domain-name example.com
R1(config)# crypto key generate rsa # Use 1024-bit key
R1(config)# username admin secret AdminPass
R1(config)# line vty 0 4
R1(config-line)# login local # Use local username/password
R1(config-line)# transport input ssh Troubleshooting Commands
show ip interface brief
Check interface status & IPs
show running-config
View current configuration
ping 192.168.1.1
Test connectivity
traceroute 8.8.8.8
Trace the path to a destination
show cdp neighbors
Discover connected devices
Save & Backup
R1# copy running-config startup-config # Save config
R1# copy running-config tftp://192.168.1.5/backup.cfg # Backup to TFTP Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Forgetting no shutdown on interfaces.
❌ Using weak passwords like "cisco" or "admin".
❌ Missing subnet masks in network statements for routing protocols.
Step-by-Step Example: Basic Network Setup
Connect Devices: Use copper straight-through cables for switches/hosts.
Assign IPs:
PC> ipconfig 192.168.1.2 255.255.255.0 192.168.1.1Verify Connectivity:
PC> ping 192.168.1.1
Pro Tip
Use Packet Tracer’s Simulation Mode to watch packets travel through your network!
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