Access to CISCO Switch

[Roady]

I have a CISCO switch 2500 and how can I get into the console (cmd line interface) to set it up. I have a twisted cat5 straight from my PC to the console connnection at the back of the switch, and what software/commands can I use. Also i still want my PC plugged into my router as it pick up the internet off it. So if i was to plug my switch into my router whats best way to connect to it and set it up, i dont know the IP address of the switch. I dont seem to get a nerowrk light on my nework card in the pc when i connect to the console, but get one when I plug into one of the many ports on the front.
Can i still configure the switch when im networked into the front of the switch using a ethernet port and not use the console port which is a Ethernet port by the way.

Cheers!



Regards

[CuratoR]

I have a switch(not CISCO) that is provided with a console cable which has RJ45 jack on end and a serial jack on the other. The RJ45 end goes to console port at the switch and the serial end goes to com port on the pc. I can use terminal to configure the Switch.

My guess is you cannot use normal Network Cables (CAT5 UTP with RJ45 on both ends) for configuring your switch via PC which is what you seem to be doing. There must a seperate console cable provided with your switch.

I don't think the console port is actually a network port though they look the same.

Just my two cents.

[Variable]

You need a rollover/console cable. It is normally light blue or black and is flat, it hooks up to the serial port of the pc and into the console port of the switch.
http://google-cnet.com.com/4014-3099_9-357536.html?part=google-cnet&subj=102961254&tag=102961254

[Roady]

Thank you for reply, I'll give that a go, if only we were told these things at first.



Cheers

[Erik]

The only reason you would need the switch is if you want to add additional PC's to your network. If that is what you are trying to do then it would require a good bit more work using a 2500 than using a switch designed for home networking.

First of all you do need a console cable to setup the switch in CLI mode. It connects to the console port of the switch and the serial port of your PC. Then using a terminal emulation program, usually Hyper Terminal that comes with Windows, you configure the switch. You can assign it any IP address you want really. Generally for a small home network type situation it would be 192.168.1.xxx, but it doesn't really matter as long as all of the devices in your network are in the same subnet.

You would then need to connect the router into one of the trunk ports of the switch, and your PC's to the switch ports. Then you need to manually configure each PC with the appropriate IP address, DNS address, and default gateway. For the DNS address and default gateway just copy what is being used when you are connected directly to the router. Just remember that each device must have a unique IP address, and be in the same subnet to work properly.

Of course if you are planning out a network with more than a few devices that need internet access this quickly becomes a pain to setup. Also it won't work for a network requiring more than 254 devices total, including all switches PC's, and router interfaces. But then you wouldn't want to do this for more than a handful of computers anyway. Also none of this will work at all unless your router supports, and is configured properly for NAT and PAT.

[Roady]

Well thanks again for reply. But im using a 2500 switch as im studying for my CCNA. I know the router is a bit big for my home use but its good for learning. I have a router which access the interent via broadband modem and two PCS which currently access the internet throught the router. The switch is not yet live as I need a roll over cable.

Thank

[Erik]

I believe then that you are actually speaking of a Cisco 2500 series router? I can't recall any 2500 series switches by CIsco. Anyway I don't know if it would really be able to take the place of a home router as the interfaces are different. As far as I know none of the 2500 series routers had more than a single ethernet interface, and unless you connect to the internet with a serial connection it won't do you much good.

Either way there is really no need to actually connect any of the Cisco equipment into your network to be able to pass the CCNA. In fact I just got my CCNA, and I never once connected any of my practice routers or switches into my working network. There are many advantages to this actually. I don't know how far along you are in your studies yet, but when you get to the point where you are using point-to-point connections, ISDN connections, frame relay, etc. you will know what I mean. You can't keep your network up and working while constantly changing the settings on your router.

In fact you are almost better off keeping all of your practice equipment in a lab only setting. This way you can change things as often and however you want without worry of damaging a network that you need to have working. You will also be able to accomplish more of the test requirments by configuring all possible options on the equipment.

[Roady]

Thanks Erik

Just out of interest who did you get your CCNA with. Im doing mine with with Schiedegger. Im just about to start my CCNA INTRO (Second part) so im nearly half way there. With a bit of look I should have it by May06. Its a home study course.

Cheers

[Erik]

I took the test with PearsonVue, but did all of the studying on my own, well most of it anyway. I just graduated with a degree in computer science, and as a part of my course work I took a couple of the Cisco courses. I wan't able to finish the whole program, and what I did take I was more concerned with passing the course along with all my others than preparing for the CCNA.

After I graduated I bought myself the Cisco Press books that prepare you for the exam, and 2 2500 series routers, and a 1900 series switch on eBay. I then just did a lot of reading and studying, playing around with equipment and such. I also went further than needed for the exam doing IOS upgrades, and password recovery. The more you use actual equipment the better. The mroe problems you create and need to solve the better, as long as you do solve the problem and don't just revert back to the last known working setup. This is important for the troubleshooting portion of the test.

[Roady]

Nice one. Well i work in a network computer environment now and I have borrowed a 2500 cisco switch to have a play around with at home. Do you need the special console lead to plug in the back of it to configure it, or can you just use one of the front ports. Thats how much I know ha ha!



Cheers

[Erik]

Well, it depends. Once you have everything setup as it should be you can connect to it without the console cable using telnet. Initial configuration must be done with the console cable to give it an IP address to telnet too. Also you must configure telnet to ask for login, and require a password. Once that is done you can connect to it from any PC connected to the switch, assuming you didn't use ACLs to block access from certain IPs.

[Variable]

If your going to practice labs you will want a rollover cable. Be careful using Telnet to do labs with. I have been working on ACL's before and accidently locked myself out :p When working remotely it is wonderful to be able to make changes long distance but, when your learning... it's nice to be able to console in and fix a goof up quickly.

If your practicing for your CCNA I would look on ebay for a pod. Get three old 2500 routers, the cables and a 2900 switch. You can find them pretty "cheap." I used to have a URL for pods that were online you could telnet into and play with. Also, you can buy/download some pretty good simulators now. When I was prepping for my CCNA I did lots of simulator practice as well as pod labs.

[Erik]

Before I spent any money on simulators I would buy a nice set of equipment. Most of the full simulators cost about the same as a couple of routers and a switch. With the simulator you are limited to some pre programmed scenarios, as far as I know anyway because I didn't buy any, but with actual equipment you aren't limited at all. Plus after you are done with the CCNA you can start using the equipment for further exams, use it to build a network, or sell it on eBay for pretty much all of your money back.

Here are a couple of links I found helpful:
Used Cisco Equipment (http://www.ciscokits.com)
CCNA Study Material / Rack Rental (http://www.thebryantadvantage.com)
Cisco Website (http://www.cisco.com) - register and go to the CCNA prep center - MUCH useful information

And yes, telnet does have its downfalls. As mentioned if you botch a configuration then you could be quit stuck, so be careful, and be ready to break out the rollover cable.

[Variable]

Well if you spend the money for an expensive simulator it is full service. The Cisco IOS is a simple OS and can be emulated. When I was taking classes my instructor said you could buy simulators that gave all the functionality of any Cisco device. I just used the router pods and the simulators that came with my books when at home. When learning complex tasks, IMHO, repetition is the key.

[deddard]

Bear in mind that some simulators won't provide everything you need.
I've used the Boson simulator, and configuring ACLs is fun to say the least - ACLs end up on the wrong machine, blocking or permitting the wrong hosts etc.
On the whole it's pretty good, but there are some drawbacks.

[Roady]

Well reading on you have all well and truly lost me now in this topic! Hopefully to catch up when I study this part of my CCNA.

By the way my switch was/is a 2900 catalyst cisco, not a 2500 as I originally stated, what differences are there?

Thanks all

[Erik]

Well reading on you have all well and truly lost me now in this topic! Hopefully to catch up when I study this part of my CCNA.

By the way my switch was/is a 2900 catalyst cisco, not a 2500 as I originally stated, what differences are there?

Thanks all

Basically that the 2500 series was routers(no longer in service), and the 2900 series are switches. The 2950 is the switch that is tested on the current CCNA.

[Variable]

2500's are in use all over the place : )

[Erik]

2500's are in use all over the place : )

Well I meant more that according to Cisco they have reached the end of their life cycle. Of course that doesn't mean that everyone stops using them, just Cisco no longer makes them. I should have been more clear on that. :D