config my cisco router?

[four4875]

i got this cisco 2501 router the other day. i have JUST the router, no serial cables or docs. how would i set it up, and how do i config it? do i need a serial cable type thing? or can i do it like my linksys, over HTTP? and it wond do any good being behind my lynksys, will it? caus i wanna mess with it in here, and not have to go in to my bros room where the lynksys is. and i'm gonna need to get a rack mount hub somewhere.. so i can use multiple comps o the cisco router. thanks yalls

[su root]

For initial setup, you probably require the console cable.

Console cable = DB9 to RJ45 connector + Rollover cable. The rollover cable plugs into the console port, and the RJ45 end of the DB9 connector. The DB9 connects to your serial port, where you can use hyperterminal to configure the router. I have no idea where you would find one of these on the consumer market tho..

Here's your router:
http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/hw/routers/ps233/ps234/index.html

Reading this will give you a head start on configuring it:
http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/hw/routers/ps233/index.html

Cisco routers are not difficult to configure, just awkward to learn the commands. Use the easy-setup whenever possible until you learn it. People usually go to school to learn how to program those routers. :)

[Kingslayer]

Ok. The 2500 series should have two serial and two AUX ports on the back of it. You will need to utilize the two serial ports. There are adapters out there that convert the serial ports to ethernet. You will need two of these.

If you don't know what I'm talking about let me know and I'll take pics of mine so you can see them.

Then you will need to config the router from the console cable. That is also a special cable. It looks like a network cable and has the same ends, but that in turn plugs into a special adapter on the serial port of a computer.

Again if you're lost let me know and I'll post pics.

Once you have the main setup established, passwords and port IP addresses, then we'll work on the setup. If you don't have any cables this will be tough. You can make a console cable but you'll be lost without an adapter.

Once you get the cables, I'll create a text file setup for you and we'll see what we can do to get it setup.

[engjohn]

are those the AUI to ethernet or the serial to ethernet converters???

[Smokeys]

I suggest picking up a CCNA book, it'll walk you through the basics of how to use it.

[Bobby]

It's actually a DB9 to RJ45 rollover cable. It has nothing to do with ethernet or AUI. You can get the cable and adapter from www.cdw.com but they're not cheap. I think they go for about $50.

Looks like you live in CA. If so and you can find a Fry's somewhere, you can buy the DB9 to RJ45 connector but you have to make the pins go where you need them. Cisco's website has info on what the pinouts are for the adapter. I believe they also sell the rollover cable or you can make your own if you have a crimper and RJ45 heads.

You'll need a AUI adapter (DB15 to RJ45) to connect it to your network (hub/switch/etc) The serial port will be useless to you unless you have a leased line (fractional T1 or better) coming into your house.

You're probably going to have to do a password recovery. You can read it HERE (http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/hw/routers/ps233/products_password_recovery09186a0080094795.shtml). You'll need to have a connection to the console port to do this and a terminal program that can send a break character (hyperterm works fine).

Most people studying for their CCNA/CCIE use these routers to practice on but they're not much use for a home network.

-Bobby

[tatanka]

Originally posted by engjohn
are those the AUI to ethernet or the serial to ethernet converters???

Are there serial to ethernet adapters?.... i thought the serial ports were used for WAN-type connections?... i'm not too sure myself... I haven't read a ccna book in a while....

[Bobby]

Originally posted by tatanka


Are there serial to ethernet adapters?.... i thought the serial ports were used for WAN-type connections?... i'm not too sure myself... I haven't read a ccna book in a while....

Nope. Most of the older routers have a serial port to connect to an external CSU/DSU.

-Bobby

[engjohn]

Originally posted by Bobby


Nope. Most of the older routers have a serial port to connect to an external CSU/DSU.

-Bobby

That is what I thought, looks like I will have to look for one with 2 AUI ports, or just front the money for a 2600! (ouch!)

[four4875]

umm... ok. what i have gotten from this: i'll need a serial to RJ45 cord. is this a DB9 serial port? if it is, i could solder it up. well i could solder anything up probably, i just have all of the stuff here to do it. i just looked at the router, and is it the AUI port that gets hooked to the hub/switch? what do the serials g oto?isnt it for like EXTREMELY high speed connections, like T1 and up?

and i live in shelby, OH 44875. (44875 ohio, over there <--) what does the AUX RJ45 port go to? im guessing conection source? like for here would be my cable modem? and the CONSOLE goes to the DB9/RJ45 cord i make?

and could i get a male game port type plug and solder up some cat5 to it, or dows the AUI need a PCB to do some stuff too?

and what would upgrading the ram inside here do? is it EDO, or does it just look the same?

THANKS GUYS!!!! i really appreciate it!

after i graduate high school (4 years...) i plan to take courses on this stuff, i KNOW A+ and MCSE, and hopefully cisco. i hope learning this ow will hhelp me then... hehehe

[four4875]

BTW, i have a flat network cable that came from the same place. on the router theres a sticker that says "12" above the CONSOLE port, and on the cable there is an identical :12" sticker. appears to be a product number on the cable: "LDW4095 72-0876-01"

my brother just ame in and said he probably has all of the cables in his jeep for it. i really hope he does. (his work is where this came from, they were tossin it, rack and all)

so i hope like heck it turns out that he has them.

[su root]

Ok. The "flat" network cable is your rollover cable. All you need now is a DB9 to RJ45 converter. These are fairly common. See if a local computer store can order one for you. Price is about $2 or so.


Originally posted by four4875
is this a DB9 serial port?
is it the AUI port that gets hooked to the hub/switch?
what do the serials goto?
isnt it for like EXTREMELY high speed connections, like T1 and up?

DB9 is the port connector type (like RJ45 is the standard connector type for ethernet cable). Serial ports use DB9 connectors. AUI ports need "trancievers" to RJ45, then they can be connected to your hub/switch. Serials don't go anywhere.. atleast not for now. You would need another router, or an ISP that supported serial links(expensive). Your router would have low-speed links, capable of not much more than 56kbps.

what does the AUX RJ45 port go to? im guessing conection source? like for here would be my cable modem? and the CONSOLE goes to the DB9/RJ45 cord i make?
The AUX port is generally used to allow remote configuration of the router over a dialup connection. You won't be using this port. (atleast not right now). The Console port is connected to the rollover cable, and the RJ45 to DB9 connector, then plugged into your serial port.

and could i get a male game port type plug and solder up some cat5 to it, or dows the AUI need a PCB to do some stuff too?
Best to go out and buy trancievers rather than make your own. It will save you alot of confusion when the connection doesn't work, and you have to troubleshoot it.

and what would upgrading the ram inside here do? is it EDO, or does it just look the same?
There is RAM -- as in the router's memory, and there is NVRAM -- as in the router's storage space/"harddrive". Upgrading the RAM would give the router more memory to work with. The router is basically a computer, it has a CPU, memory, storage space (NVRAM), and an OS (Cisco IOS).

[Bobby]

Originally posted by engjohn


That is what I thought, looks like I will have to look for one with 2 AUI ports, or just front the money for a 2600! (ouch!)

The Cisco 2514 comes with 2 AUI ports for 2 ethernet ports if you can find them used. I've seen a few on eBay.

four4875- The DB9 to RJ45 is for the console connection from the DB9 serial port on your computer/laptop to the RJ45 console port on the router. The cable I have is LDW4499 72-0876-01. I don't know what you have but if you look at the RJ45 heads (put the tab side down, edge to edge) the wires should match up.

|1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8|
----------------
----------------
|1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8|

or side by side:
______________ _____________
|1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8| |8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1|


The AUX RJ45 is for ISDN/BRI lines. You won't be using it.

It looks like you're off to a great start. I wouldn't recommend getting A+ cert. That's completely useless and a waste of time and money. Get an internship at a company and let them pay for your training when they hire you full time. Work experience is MUCH more important than certs when you're first starting off.

-Bobby

[four4875]

thanks all of you! im gonna see what my brother has in his jeep, and see what i can do with this router. the main problem is that this stuff isnt MINE completely, since he got it from his work, it's his. he's considering just ebaying it, since he has the linksys wit the built in 4 port switch.... :-| i would MUCH much rather use the cisco with a 12 or 24 port switch than that little linksys... but hey.. that's just me. and the flat cable i have is 1234567887654321 next to each other. i dont plan to TRAIN for the A+ in a school or anything, i will just pay to take the test. and when i do that, i'll be 110% sure i'll pass it.

[four4875]

and on the RAM subject, can i just get regular EDO to put in there? how much could i get in the 2 slots? or is the 2 the NV? and is the NV ram EDO that is powered by a battery to keep settings? or is it different stuff in the same package? thanks.

[Bobby]

I just realized that you could probably get the DB9 connector from Radio Shack too. There's diagrams on Cisco's website for the pinouts. The specs for the ram modules should be there as well.

Save your money on the test. Let a company pay for it. I have a bunch of pieces of paper from Cisco, MS, F5, Checkpoint, etc and I didn't pay for any of the training. I think the companies I've worked for paid over $30,000 for the courses, not including flying me out and putting me up in nice hotels in San Jose, Seattle, San Diego and Los Angeles. ;)

-Bobby

[four4875]

i'll keep that in mind, but i need to find a job that will actually do that first.. :-D and i think having a few certs will help me in that.

[Bobby]

Well, the best thing to do is when you get into college, start looking for internships. Most student centers will have a listing of internships from the local companies (paid or not). Those companies won't care about certs and just want someone that's bright. If they see you as a potential full time employee, they will start paying for your certs.

This is the route I took. I'm not discrediting having certs but there are a lot of guys and gals out there than are MCSE's that can barely install Windows. These are the people that lowers the value of certs. In other words, don't think having certs will land you a job, most likely, it won't. If you are smart, well spoken, learn quick, have experience and don't have certs, you have a better chance to get a position against someone that's an idiot with no exp. and certs. Most of this comes from personal experience interviewing and hiring IT personnel, mostly Network Engineers.

-Bobby

[Kingslayer]

Originally posted by engjohn


That is what I thought, looks like I will have to look for one with 2 AUI ports, or just front the money for a 2600! (ouch!)

2514 has 2 AUI ports.

And as far as a Cisco being useless for a home network, they are far more versitile than any off the shelf SOHO router.

[Bobby]

Originally posted by Kingslayer


2514 has 2 AUI ports.

I already mentioned this :p


And as far as a Cisco being useless for a home network, they are far more versitile than any off the shelf SOHO router.

If you get the right router, yes. But how many people do you know that can configure a Cisco router to get the most out of it for home use? Even then, would you really want to? And are you willing to pay the premium?

The market for home networking is pretty damn good now that you can get a $100 router/switch/AP while the same functionality with Cisco would run you over $1000 if you got used equipment.

If you can get one free, sure but if you don't know how to configure it, I wouldn't recommend using it on your network.

Of course this is just my opinion.

-Bobby

[Kingslayer]

I'll mention one thing that makes the Cisco router worth the extra money.

UPnP NAT.

I have no problems running audio/video on msn messenger with my Cisco while every other router I've had wouldn't support UPnP NAT.

[four4875]

a little update. the cable my bro had is a 60 pin serial to 35 pin.... i dont know what. he said this went to (he thinks) the 2 modems. they looked like little scales, he says. and i have 2 serial cables here, so i guess im gonna break out the soldering gun and a piece of cat5 with a RJ45 plug on it, and make a config cable. i'll look at their site (cant remember right now if theres a link up there or not) and figger out the pinouts. thanks all of you for your help. i REALLY REALLY appreciate it!

[four4875]

ok so the cable i have is a "V35 cable assembly". just thought i'd add that. im still loking for the rollover cable thingy.. hehe

[four4875]

http://www.cisco.com/univercd/cc/td/doc/product/access/acs_fix/cis2500/2509/acsvrug/cables.htm#21007

can anyone find anything easier to read? as in like a pin to pin direct diagram? like pin 1 on the RJ45 goes to pin X on the DB9? THANK YOU!!!!! otherwise, i dont know what to do... :'(

[Bobby]

Kingslayer - It must've been a while ago. UPnP NAT traversal is supported by almost every home router. And most that don't just need a firmware upgrade. Don't get me wrong, I think Cisco routers are awesome (I've worked on them for over 8 yrs) but just plain overkill for 99% of home uses and way overpriced for home use.

four4875 - Try this one:
http://www.cisco.com/warp/public/701/14.html
The roll over cable is fairly easy to make if you've ever crimped an RJ45 cable. The DB9 serial pinouts are fairly easy too.

-Bobby

[four4875]

bobby, thanks. su root already gave me a link VIA AIM. i crimped half of the cables in the house, so that's not a problem. i have a cisco roll over cable, i just need the pin to pin diagram for a DB9-RJ45. thanks all of you!

[four4875]

and where could i get a good CCNA book online? any reccomendations? thanks.

[Bobby]

http://www.theforumisdown.com/uploadfiles/0103/rj45.db9.gif

This was in the last link. The pic on the right is looking at the RJ45 port.

Cisco has quite a few CCNA books that are very good. I've never bought a book. I usually get them from the courses that I took. I would imagine Amazon would have them.

-Bobby

[four4875]

but that pic dont say what pin goes to where...

[Kingslayer]

It's an adapter, it's all ready pinned out for you. There is a serial connector on one end that plugs into the serial port on your computer and then the other end is RJ45 for the rolled cable to plug into.

You use this to connect to the console port and use a communications program (usually HyperTerminal) to connect to the router.

Give us a heads up on when you get all this stuff because you have to configure a connection in hyperterminal to talk to the router and it can be a pain to setup.

[four4875]

ok, i soldered up a connector (RJ45 to cat5 to DB9) all plugged in, get the "OK" light, so i hope all is ok. now to get to where i can config it... hehe

need your help now! hehe. i have it on com1 on my a7n8x DLX.

thanks again for all of you guys's help. without you this router would have probably been on ebay.

[four4875]

eh... how do i send commands in hyper terminal? thanks... hehe

[Bobby]

Just sent you a couple of pm's.

-Bobby

[soundfx4]

Well, I am taking cisco classes, and the 2500 series happens to be the model our class uses :) Let's see. I am not sure how to setup NAT, but I can check my cisco book. For now though...I have to be somewhere, so I'll post back later what I find in the book. Btw, what else do you want to do with the router? Just wandering, so I can look up anything else.

[soundfx4]

Originally posted by soundfx4
Well, I am taking cisco classes, and the 2500 series happens to be the model our class uses :) Let's see. I am not sure how to setup NAT, but I can check my cisco book. For now though...I have to be somewhere, so I'll post back later what I find in the book. Btw, what else do you want to do with the router? Just wandering, so I can look up anything else.



hehe, NM, you seam to have enough help, :D probably should have checked the other replies before posted :) anyway, if you still want to ask me anything, you can pm me. Although I'm sure I'm not the only one that knows anything about cisco here :p

[four4875]

i need to figure whats up with my hyperterm. i cant seem to send commands. no text appears in the window, i tried hitting enter, nothing comes up. grr.....

[Kingslayer]

Make sure you set Hyperterminal up like this:

Bps: 9600
Data Bits: 8
Parity: none
Stop Bits: 1
Flow control: none

Then you should be able to connect. It may look like you're not connected, but hit enter and you should get a prompt.

[Bobby]

Also, have everything connected before you power up the router. This way, you can see the boot sequence and you'll know if the router works or not. Then you can do a password recovery to get into the router.

-Bobby