AP Networking Lab 2: SOHO Documentation and Handoff (Browser Lab)

SOHO Documentation and Handoff

Inventory a network you did not build, then hand it over. 6 class periods, 8 checkpoints.

What you need: a browser. Nothing to install, no admin rights, no networking hardware. It runs on a Chromebook. The network below is simulated, so you can break it, fix it, and break it again without touching anything real.

The situation

You have inherited the computer lab network. There is no documentation, one device on it should not be there, and two devices are fighting over the same address. Produce the field manual the next person will need.

Run the lab

Work the terminal on the left. ipconfig, ping, tracert, arp -a, nslookup, speedtest all answer from the simulated network, so the evidence you gather is consistent and repeatable. Answer the checkpoints as you go and submit when you are done: your score saves to your gradebook, and the reasoning for each checkpoint appears after you submit.

How the 6 periods are used

Session Focus What you should be able to do after it
1 Walk the network Build a complete device inventory from evidence rather than from assumption.
2 Addresses and what they mean Read structure out of MAC and IP addresses.
3 The conflict Find and explain a duplicate address.
4 Static or dynamic Decide which devices should hold a fixed address and defend it.
5 The device that should not be here Identify an unexpected device and reason about impact.
6 The handoff document Produce the field manual the Unit 2 performance task scores.
This is a model, not a capture. The devices, addresses and command output are authored for this lab. Real equipment behaves in messier ways: timeouts vary, cables are intermittent, and output differs between operating systems. What transfers is the reasoning, which is the part that is graded here and on the exam.

Questions students ask

Do I need to install anything?

No. Everything runs in this page. If you can read this, you can run the lab.

Can I redo it?

You can work the lab as many times as you like. Whether a retake replaces your recorded score depends on the retry setting your teacher chose for your class.

Will these exact commands work on a real machine?

The commands are real and the output format follows the real tools closely. tracert is the Windows spelling; macOS and Linux use traceroute. Run them on a real network when you have one, and expect more noise than you see here.

AP is a trademark of the College Board, which was not involved in the production of, and does not endorse, this resource.

Get in Touch

Whether you're a student, parent, or teacher — I'd love to hear from you.

Just want free AP CS resources?

Enter your email below and check the subscribe box — no message needed. Students get daily practice questions and study tips. Teachers get curriculum resources and teaching strategies.

Typically responds within 24 hours

Message Sent!

Thanks for reaching out. I'll get back to you within 24 hours.

🏫 Welcome, fellow educator!

I offer curriculum resources, practice materials, and study guides designed for AP CS teachers. Let me know what you're looking for — whether it's classroom materials, a guest speaker, or Teachers Pay Teachers resources.

Email

[email protected]

📚

Courses

AP CSA, CSP, & Cybersecurity

Response Time

Within 24 hours

Prefer email? Reach me directly at [email protected]