vega55

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

blackhawk

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.

heatwave

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.

vega55

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



Cheers

heatwave

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.

blackhawk

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.

vega55

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

vega55

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

heatwave

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.

blackhawk

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 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.