Lab 1-2 – Connecting to a Cisco Device via Console

This lab we will discuss connecting to your Cisco Device using a console cable (DB9 to RJ45) and terminal emulation software. For this lab you may need to download a terminal emulator or use HyperTerminal which is installed by default in Microsoft© Windows™ XP. Windows Vista users need will need to manually install HyperTerminal or download a Terminal Emulator such as Putty or SecureCRT™. Putty is available for free and available by clicking the link on the side bar.

Real World Application

In many situations you may be required to configure a Cisco device via console. Such examples being; a new device deployment, image restoration or even perhaps you locked yourself out of a Cisco Device while configuring an access list remotely.

Lab Prerequisites

• Terminal Emulation Software such as Putty, HyperTerminal or SecureCRT.
• Cisco console cable or terminal adapter and rollover cable.

Lab Objectives

• Connect to a Cisco Device and successfully establish a console session viewing the CLI prompt.

Lab Instruction

While most terminal emulation software differs in available features and/or protocols, all terminal emulators achieve the same goal. In this walkthrough, Putty will be used, which is freely available (See Lab Summary) to connect to a Cisco device and establish a console session to the Cisco Command Line Interface.

Step 1: Connect your Cisco console cable or terminal adapter to a Serial port on your computer.

Step 2: Connect the RJ45 end of the console cable to the “Console” port on your Cisco Lab Access Server (Cisco 2509, 2511 or a Cisco router with a NM-xxA/S Network Module) do not power on your router yet.

Step 3: When first running the Putty executable you will be presented with the Putty Configuration Window as shown below;

Step 4: After the Putty configuration window appears, move the bullet from SSH to Serial;

Note: COM1 is the default communications port for Putty Serial communications; you may need to change your COM port to match the port which your console cable is connected to. 9600 BAUD is the default speed for Putty. 9600 is also the default speed for Cisco devices using the configuration register of 0×2102 (Configuration registers will be discussed in a later chapter)

Step 5: Save the connection template as “Cisco Console” by typing in the name under “Saved Sessions and then saving the session by clicking save button located below the Load button.

Step 6: After the session is saved as a template and your Communications port is configured correctly, click “Open” and a new window will appear. This window will be the terminal window. Once the COM1 – Putty terminal window has appeared, power on your Cisco Device. After the device has booted; assuming that the NVRAM is clear, you will be prompted with a Setup Configuration Dialog:

After you are presented with the Setup Configuration Dialog type “n” for no and press enter. You will then be prompted to press Return to Get Started!, after pressing Enter you will be at the routers user mode command line interface which looks like the following;

After you have reached this point you have completed the objectives of this lab. Proceed to Lab 1.3