I hate outdated software bundled with a class

[i8246i]

Hi there, I'm currently taking a course on WAN technology and we're focusing on Cisco routers and switches.

I was given a few books and a copy of the Cisco CCNA Simulator, Network Designer, and related labs. However, its version 5.018 so I know I'm so behind the times that half of what I'm about to ask has probably been changed in later versions of the simulator.

In this course I am working on a group project in which I need to set up 5 routers, each having 2 switches connected to them, and all the routers linked together by their serial ports. One of the switches on each router must be a 48 port switch, the other must be a 24 port switch.

From the switches I am to connect 25 machines, and then take the whole design into the simulator to set up ip addresses, routing, virtual lans, etc.

Its a pretty lengthy lab, and the shortcomings of the simulator and miscommunication between the instructor and the students is just making it miserable at points.

On to my problem(s):

First off, I don't have the choice of a switch large enough to satisfy the needs of my network design. Version 5.018's largest switch is 12 regular speed ethernet ports and 2 fast ethernet ports. I notified the instructor, and we were informed that we could link together several of these smaller switches to help satisfy the need for a 48 and 24 port switch. Which means what should have been a 10 switch operation has now bloomed into a 28 switch ordeal.

I've almost completed my design (the horrible cluttered mess that it is), and I decided to save a draft of it and load that into the simulator to see if I have remembered how get the addressing and subnetting down.

Problem is, I can't configure any of the interfaces on any of the routers or switches.

I can do this:

-------------

Press Enter to Start


Router>
Router>enable
Router#conf t
Enter configuration commands, one per line. End with CNTL/Z.
Router(config)#interface ethernet 1
Invalid Command

---------------------------------


O_o It happens for all the routers and all the switches. Did I miss a step?

(sorry for the long intro for such a small question, I figure I need to describe my problem thoroughly as I am sure it requires some explanation...and I'm sure this will not be the last error of mine or the instructor)

Thanks for taking the time to read my post.

[i8246i]

I copied and pasted my question to another forum and I got an answer to my major question:

I should use "interface ethernet 0/1"

anywho, I'm sure I'll have more problems later

[i8246i]

Here's a new problem I'm encountering: When I'm using the designer and I'm creating the simulated workstations, is there a way to create multiple pcs with a simple command or keystroke? I have to simulate 25 terminals per router and dragging and dropping 125 computers is....annoying.

Also, while dragging and dropping, I will sometimes drag the entire "Devices and Connections" window instead of a new simulated PC. This is aggravating, could someone help me find a way to stop this from happening?

Thanks a lot.