A-BITS HOMEPAGE - Network Nexus Challenge

UPCOMING: America's Innovate IT Collegiate Conference (AITCC)

NETWORK NEXUS CHALLENGE

The Network Nexus Challenge is a practical, 2-hour networking competition that assesses participants’ ability to translate business requirements into a functional network design and implementation. Teams will review a facility diagram and requirements, build a planning document, and create a solution in Cisco Packet Tracer. Within Cisco Packet Tracer, teams will demonstrate network segmentation, addressing, and topology design.

This challenge emphasizes practical networking skills and structured decision making. Teams will be expected to document their decisions, verify connectivity, and align their final solution with the stated business needs.

This challenge will take place on Friday, March 27th from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM in Glass Hall Room 486.

Skills and Resources

Participants should be comfortable with basic networking concepts, including:

Layer 1 – Layer 7 concepts
VLAN design and logical segmentation
IP addressing and subnetting
Basic traffic-flow control
Verification and troubleshooting using common testing methods

Teams must bring their own computers with Cisco Packet Tracer installed; Cisco offers the software for free. Please see the link below. Additional competition materials will be provided. Internet access will be available.

https://www.netacad.com/skillsforall/files/Cisco_Packet_Tracer_Download_and_Installation_Instructions.pdf

Team

Teams may consist of one or two participants.

Protocol

Teams will progress through a structured workflow aligned to OSI Layers 1–7. A Combination of physical and logical approaches will be used to solve the problem statement. Areas to focus on training before the competition.

Layer 1: Selecting media and physical switch components based on business requirements; document design choices.
Layer 2: Implement VLAN segmentation in Packet Tracer.
Layers 3/4: Apply subnetting and implement required traffic flows using a firewall/router component.
Layers 5–7: Add one or two basic application services and document them.
Practice creating topologies, cabling, and assigning IP addresses in Packet Tracer.

Submissions will be evaluated using a common rubric focused on:

Planning document aligning to business requirements
Correctness of segmentation and addressing
Implementation of any required routing or traffic flow
Validation evidence and clarity of documentation

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