This repository documents a self-directed Linux networking home lab focused on system administration, virtual networking, and network segmentation using Ubuntu Server and VMware Workstation.
The goal of this lab was to build a realistic virtual environment, understand how networking components interact across layers, and practice troubleshooting and documentation in a reproducible way.
- Hypervisor: VMware Workstation
- Operating System: Ubuntu Server
- Networking: VMware NAT (VMnet8), Host-Only (VMnet1), LAN Segments
- Tools: Netplan, NetworkManager, iproute2, systemd utilities
- Establish a Linux network baseline
- Compare VMware adapter modes and routing behavior
- Configure static IPs and DHCP reservations
- Implement VLAN-based network segmentation
- Design and test inter-network routing concepts
- Practice Linux networking troubleshooting and documentation
The lab was completed in phases and documented step-by-step:
-
01 – Network Baseline
Established interface configuration, routing, and connectivity validation. -
02–03 – Adapter Modes
Tested NAT vs Host-Only networking to understand isolation and routing effects. -
04 – DHCP Reservations
Implemented a DHCP reservation at the hypervisor level and verified persistence. -
05 – VLAN Configuration
Designed VLAN-based segmentation and validated Layer 2 isolation. -
06 – Summary
Consolidated architecture decisions, lessons learned, and troubleshooting insights.
All documentation is available in the docs/ directory.
- Linux network interface configuration and validation
- DHCP reservations vs static IP configuration
- VLAN tagging and VLAN-equivalent segmentation
- Layer 2 vs Layer 3 responsibilities
- Multi-homed routing concepts
- Troubleshooting DNS, routing, and interface state
- Infrastructure decision-making based on platform limitations
This lab was intentionally stopped after completing segmentation and routing design due to hypervisor limitations. The focus was on understanding architecture, behavior, and troubleshooting rather than forcing a specific implementation.
Completed – December 2025
Future enhancements may include firewall rules, routing policies, or cloud-based
networking extensions.