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Cisco CCNA / CCNP Home Lab Setup: How To Configure Reverse Telnet |
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A Cisco home lab is an invaluable study tool when you're
preparing for CCNA and CCNP exam success. Once you've gotten
a couple of routers and switches, you'll quickly get tired
of moving that blue console cable every time you want to configure
a different device. The solution to this problem is purchasing
and configuring an access server (AS).
For those of you new to access servers, note that these are
not white boxes running Microsoft operating systems. These
are Cisco routers that allow you to connect to all the routers
and switches in your home lab without moving a cable. You
can physically or logically connect to the access server and
work with all your devices from there.
When you're pricing access servers, please remember that
you do NOT need an expensive AS. Right now on ebay there are
access servers costing up to $5000 - this is NOT what you
want to buy. What you're looking for is something like a 2509
or 2511, which is going to run you anywhere from $100 - $200.
It's money well spent, because once you get an AS, you'll
really wonder how you ever did without it.
The only additional hardware you need is the cable that will
physically connect your AS to the other routers and switches
in your home lab. The cable you need is called an octal cable,
so named because one end of this cable is actually eight ends,
all terminated with a numbered RJ-45 connector.
The large end of the cable is going to be connected to the
AS itself. The cable will connect to a port on the AS that
will have "async 1-8" directly above the physical
port. It is this port that makes an AS different from other
Cisco routers.
Once you've got your AS and this cable, you're ready to configure
your AS. Connect the cable to the AS as described above, and
then you will connect one of the RJ-45 connectors to the console
port of each one of your routers and switches. Make sure to
note the number that's on the cable itself right below the
connector, because that's very important. In the next part
of this home lab tutorial, I'll tell you exactly how to configure
your access server for best results, along with a few troubleshooting
tips.
About the Author:
Chris Bryant, CCIE #12933, is the owner of The Bryant Advantage,
home of free CCNA and CCNP tutorials, The Ultimate CCNA Study
Package, and Ultimate CCNP Study Packages.
For a FREE copy of his latest e-books, “How To Pass
The CCNA” and “How To Pass The CCNP”, visit
the website and download your free copies. You can also get
FREE CCNA and CCNP exam questions every day! Pass the CCNA
exam with The Bryant Advantage!
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Relevant Resources |
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Need Cisco Hardware for your Cert? |
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| Call 813.852.6400 now for more information to find the best router or switch to best help you with your certification exam. Having "real" hands-on experience is extremely beneficial not just for testing, but also ensures you are actually familiar with the device you are working on.
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