Open the lab

[ YOUR LAB FILE ]

Download the starting topology, then work through the lesson in SwitchLab.

Download SwitchLab Lab (.swlab)

  1. Save the .swlab file without renaming its extension.
  2. Open SwitchLab. Import and export controls currently require a desktop-width window. On a smaller screen, Tools → Fit brings the topology into view.
  3. Select Import Sandbox (folder icon), choose the downloaded file, and confirm the device and cable counts below.
  4. Select a device, then choose Open device on desktop or its name in the bottom bar on smaller screens. Select CLI for switches/routers or Desktop → Terminal for PCs. Enter enable only when the prompt ends in >.
  5. Follow this page beside the simulator. Use a free account to export your work. Reimport the original download to restart; export any work you want to keep first.

Prerequisites

  • Complete IPv4 routing and understand interface direction.

Follow the CCNA study path · Browse all SwitchLab labs

Topology

Repair ACL Placement and Direction: starting network imported into the SwitchLab sandbox.
Starting topology captured in SwitchLab. Select the image to view it at full size.

7 devices · 6 links

Scenario

The extended ACL entries are correct, but the list is attached inbound on the resource-facing interface. It does not see the intended Users-to-Resources traffic in that direction. Repair its attachment.

Objectives

  • Translate an explicit access policy into ordered ACL entries and interface direction.
  • Prove denied paths and allowed controls with real host traffic.

CCNA blueprint

200-301 v1.1 objectives — this lab covers the following specific skills, not every subtopic in the domain.

  • 5.6 — Configure and verify IPv4 access control lists using source/destination policy.

Starting information

  • Users: PC1=10.10.10.10 (authorized), PC3=10.10.10.30 (restricted), attached through R1 g0/0. Resources: PC2=10.20.20.20 and PC4=10.20.20.40, through R1 g0/1.
  • Policy: PC1 reaches both resources. PC3 is denied only to PC2 and remains permitted to PC4.
  • Apply ACL 101 outbound on R1 g0/1. Keep all host settings and router addresses unchanged.
  • These exercises verify IPv4 source/destination policy with ICMP traffic. They do not claim application-port filtering or stateful firewall behavior.
HostIPv4 addressMaskGateway
PC110.10.10.10255.255.255.010.10.10.1
PC310.10.10.30255.255.255.010.10.10.1
PC210.20.20.20255.255.255.010.20.20.1
PC410.20.20.40255.255.255.010.20.20.1
RouterInterfaceIPv4 addressMask
R1g0/010.10.10.1255.255.255.0
R1g0/110.20.20.1255.255.255.0
Device / portDevice / port
R1 / g0/0SW1 / g0/8
R1 / g0/1SW2 / g0/8
PC1 / eth0SW1 / g0/1
PC3 / eth0SW1 / g0/2
PC2 / eth0SW2 / g0/1
PC4 / eth0SW2 / g0/2

Tasks

  1. Test PC1 and PC3 to both resource hosts and record the initial results. Inspect the ACL entries and R1 interface attachment.
  2. Apply the approved source/destination policy, ordering and outbound attachment. Preserve the unrelated permitted paths.
  3. Repeat the four-path matrix. A failed forbidden path is insufficient by itself: the allowed control paths must still pass.
  4. Inspect show access-lists and show running-config interface g0/1, then save/export and verify the completed network after reload.

Useful commands

show access-lists
show running-config interface g0/1
copy running-config startup-config

Progressive hints

Hint 1

Draw the packet direction through R1 before choosing an ACL attachment.

Hint 2

ACLs use the first matching entry. Standard ACLs match the source; extended ACLs can also distinguish the destination.

Hint 3

The intended flow exits R1 g0/1. Put the specific deny before the broad permit and apply the list outbound.

Verification

  • The final four-path matrix matches the approved policy exactly.
  • The intended ACL is applied outbound on R1 g0/1 with no stale inbound attachment.
  • Export/reload preserves both permitted and denied outcomes.

Solution / walkthrough

Show Solution

Use enable only from a > prompt; if already at #, begin with configure terminal.

R1

Apply the required first-match policy in the direction traversed by Users-to-Resources packets; retain the explicit permitted control paths.

enable
configure terminal
interface g0/1
no ip access-group 101 in
ip access-group 101 out
end
copy running-config startup-config

Run every verification check above after the changes. A saved configuration alone does not prove packet delivery.

Previous lab

Repair ACL Rule Ordering

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