By default, switches are trusting. And trust, in security, is a vulnerability.
Layer 2 security is invisible when done right. But when it's missing, the whole network crumbles. What other Layer 2 attacks worry you most—CDP/LLDP recon, STP manipulation, or ARP poisoning? Drop a comment below.
interface range fa0/1-24 switchport mode access switchport nonegotiate On the actual trunk between switches:
That’s where comes in. It’s the often-overlooked foundation of network defense. 14.9.11 packet tracer - layer 2 vlan security
ip dhcp snooping ip dhcp snooping vlan 10,20 interface g0/1 ip dhcp snooping trust interface range fa0/1-24 ip dhcp snooping limit rate 10 no ip dhcp snooping trust Now, only the uplink port can send DHCP Offer/ACK messages. Any rogue server on an access port will be ignored.
The four techniques in form the backbone of the Cisco Cyber Threat Defense model:
Instead of using VLAN 1 (the default native VLAN), change it to, for example, VLAN 999. By default, switches are trusting
Cisco’s Packet Tracer activity is an excellent, hands-on lab that forces you to think like both a network admin and a hacker. It focuses on three critical Layer 2 vulnerabilities and their mitigations: MAC Flooding , VLAN Hopping (Switch Spoofing) , and DHCP Starvation .
| Threat | Mitigation | | :--- | :--- | | MAC Flooding | Port Security | | VLAN Hopping (DTP) | switchport mode access / nonegotiate | | Double Tagging | Non-default native VLAN | | Rogue DHCP | DHCP Snooping | Packet Tracer 14.9.11 is not just about passing a skills exam—it's about building an operator mindset . The best router ACL in the world is useless if an attacker can sit on your switch and sniff everything.
Happy (secure) switching.
Move the native VLAN to an unused, "dead-end" VLAN.
interface g0/1 switchport mode trunk switchport nonegotiate If a port is for a user, it should be an access port, period. Don't let devices negotiate their way into privilege. Step 3: Changing the Native VLAN (Double Tagging Defense) The Threat: In a double-tagging attack, the attacker sends a frame with two 802.1Q tags. The first tag (native VLAN) is stripped off by the first switch. The second tag (say, VLAN 10) is then visible to the next switch, potentially letting the attacker hop into a restricted VLAN.
Port Security.
DHCP Snooping.
