How to access Cisco Routers and Switches in real world?
In our previous post, we learned the basics of Cisco Packet Tracer. Today we will take a look at how you can access Cisco routers or switches in real world. For this we need a router, a console cable, one PC and terminal software.
How to access Cisco routers or Switches?
Before understanding the commands by which we can configure a router or switch, you must understand how can you access the routers or switches. Cisco packet tracer provides a graphical user interface for configuring the IOS of router or switch but in real devices you will not see that. For that, you have to use a console cable and plug its’ one end to console port of router and other end to serial port of your PC (RS-232). If you don’t have a RS-232 port on PC then you can use a Serial to USB Converter like I’ve done in the image above.
Once you have connected a serial cable to router and PC, go to desktop of your PC. Right Click on My Computer or This PC icon and click manage. Then click on Device Manager and check to what port your serial cable is connected? In my case it is COM4.
How To Check Ports on desktop to access Cisco routers and switches.
Power on the router or switch and now you have to use a terminal software like PuTTY, Secure CRT or Hyper Terminal. Terminal software provides you a lot of ways to access the IOS for example using telnet, SSH or serial. Here we are connected using a serial cable and using PuTTY to access the router. So click on Serial, enter the COM port from which you are connected to router and click Open.
Using putty to access Cisco Routers console
Next you will see a Command Prompt like window as shown in following image. You can see router is booting up.
Cisco Router starts booting process
Once booting is done, you can access Router and configure it as per need.
Now, you have access to console of Router.
That is how you can access router or switch. Problem arises when you have a lot of devices and you have to configure all of them. It’s hard to plug console cable in each device again and again. Well, for that we use an Access Server in our network. With the help of Access Server we can access multiple devices with single console cable. We don’t have to plug-In and remove condole cable from devices again and again.
Visit our YouTube channel to learn more in details.
Nice article. I attended I Medita’s winter training on CCNA in chennai in 2014 and worked on Cisco switches as well. This article just helped me revise it. Also I got placed in Airtel and I am coming to gurgaon in april. I will like to meet you all. Thankyou
Hi Suganthan, congratulations for getting the placement, we hope that our training was helpful for you to get placed in Airtel. We have many students working in Airtel already.
And thank you very much for appreciating the training, We are glad we have a happy customer like you.
You are most welcome to meet us anytime. Please contact Mr. Deepanshu at 08586017181 before coming so that we can host you in a better way. Our institute is walking distance from Guru Dronacharya metro station and 10 minutes from Iffco Chowk, Gurgaon.
Take care!
Hello,
I have found your articles very informative in terms of some knowledge for theory. Already attend one of your workshops. Found it attractive. Would like to attend your winter training as well in AP. Can I join a batch after my exams? Can I get placement after doing the course?
Please help me with that.
Hi Shanmukh A,
Firstly, thanks for your appreciation.
Secondly,
1. You can joing our Project Based Winter Training Program in Ameerpet,Hyderabad. To know more about it please visit the below link:
http://www.wtp.ibncindia.com/winter-training-program.php
2. As you are interested in networking and looking for placement oriented course, you can join one of the below courses. In these courses, you will get 100% written job guarantee.
A. Job Xpert (Networking, Server & Security)
B. Job Xpert (Networking & Server)
Location is Gurgaon, Delhi NCR. Accommodation facilities are also available.
We start batches every month. So you can join us anytime. For detaided information please visit our website http://www.imedita.com/
or
call/ whatsapp/ sms on 8750004411.
Sugandh Kansal
Sr. Training Advisor
I Medita Learning Solutions Pvt. Ltd
We believe in practical trainings.
http://www.imedita.com
http://www.ibncindia.com