Bring-up the Cisco NCS 540 Series Router
Connect to the console port on a Route Processor (RP) of the router, and power ON the router. By default, this console port connects to the XR console. If necessary, after configuration, establish subsequent connections through the management port.
The following table shows the console settings:
Baud rate (in bps) |
Parity |
Stop bits |
Data bits |
---|---|---|---|
115200 |
None |
2 |
8 |
The baud rate is set by default and cannot be changed.
The router can be accessed using remote management protocols, such as SSH, Telnet, SCP and FTP. SSH is included in the software image by default, but telnet is not part of the software image. You must manually install the telnet optional package to use it.
After booting is complete, you must create a username and password. This credential is used to log on to the XR console, and get to the router prompt.
You can start or stop the console by using the following keyboard shortcuts:
-
To start the console, press Ctrl + q.
-
To stop the console, press Ctrl + s.
Note that by using Ctrl + s, the console output will be locked and you will need to initiate a Ctrl + q sequence to restore the console prompt.
The router completes the boot process using the pre-installed operating system (OS) image. If no image is available within the router, the router can be booted using iPXE boot or an external bootable USB drive.
Boot the Cisco NCS 540 Series Router Using Manual iPXE
Manually boot the router using iPXE if the router fails to boot when powered ON. An alternate method is to Boot from a USB device.
iPXE is a pre-boot execution environment in the network card of the management interfaces. It works at the system firmware (UEFI) level of the router. iPXE boot re-images the system, boots the router in case of a boot failure, or in the absence of a valid bootable partition. iPXE downloads the ISO image, installs the image, and finally bootstraps inside the new installation.
You need a server running HTTPS, HTTP, or TFTP. Bring-up the PXE prompt using the following steps:
Procedure
Step 1 |
Power ON the router. |
||||
Step 2 |
Press Esc or Del keys continuously (quick and repeated press and release) to pause the boot process, and get to the BIOS menu. |
||||
Step 3 |
Select |
||||
Step 4 |
When PXE boot starts reaching for a PXE server, press Ctrl+B keys to break into the PXE prompt. |
||||
Step 5 |
Add the following configuration for the router. This is required for the router to connect with the external server to download, and install the image. You can use HTTP, HTTPS or TFTP server. Example:
|
Boot the Cisco NCS 540 Series Router Using USB Drive
Boot the router using USB drive if the router fails to boot when powered ON. An alternate method is to boot the router using iPXE.
Before you begin
Have access to a USB drive with a storage capacity that is between 8GB (min) and 32 GB (max). USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 are supported.
Caution |
We recommend that you do not use Kingston USB 3.0 memory cards with 64GB storage capacity as this might cause a hardware error. |
Caution |
Booting your router using USB drive deletes all the configuration from the hard disk. Ensure that you take a backup of your current router configuration before proceeding with the USB boot. |
Note |
Use this procedure only on the active RP; the standby RP must either be powered OFF or removed from the chassis. After the active RP is installed with images from the USB drive, insert or power ON the standby RP as appropriate. |
Procedure
Step 1 |
Copy the bootable file to a USB disk. A bootable USB drive is created by copying a compressed boot file into a USB drive. The USB drive becomes bootable after the contents of the compressed file are extracted.
This task can be completed using Windows, Linux, or MAC operating systems available on your local machine. |
||||||||
Step 2 |
Use the bootable USB drive to boot the router or upgrade its image using one of the following methods:
|
Configure the Management Port on the Cisco NCS 540 Series Router
To use the management port for system management and remote communication, you must configure an IP address and a subnet mask for the Management Ethernet interface.
Note |
We recommend that you use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) routing and the forwarding (VRF) on the Management Ethernet interface. |
Before you begin
-
Consult your network administrator or system planner to procure IP addresses and a subnet mask for the management interface.
-
Physical port Ethernet 0 on RP is the management port. Ensure that the port is connected to the management network.
Procedure
Step 1 |
Configure a VRF. Example:
|
Step 2 |
Enter interface configuration mode for the management interface of the RP. Example:
|
Step 3 |
Assign an IP address and a subnet mask to the interface. Example:
|
Step 4 |
Configure the Management Ethernet interface under the VRF. Example:
|
Step 5 |
Exit the management interface configuration mode. Example:
|
Step 6 |
Assign a virtual IP address and a subnet mask to the interface. The virtual address is primarily used for out-of-band management over the Management Ethernet interface. Example:
|
Step 7 |
Place the interface in Example:
|
Step 8 |
Specify the IP address of the default-gateway to configure a static route; this is used for communications with devices on other networks. Example:
|
Step 9 |
Commit the configuration. Example:
|
Step 10 |
Connect to the management port to the ethernet network. With a terminal emulation program, establish a SSH or telnet connection to the management interface port using its IP address. |
Synchronize Router Clock with NTP Server
Synchronize the XR clock with that of an NTP server to avoid a deviation from true time.
stratum
to describe how many NTP hops away a machine is from an authoritative time source. A stratum 1
time server typically has an authoritative time source (such as a radio or atomic clock, or a GPS time source) directly attached
to the server. A stratum 2
time server receives its time through NTP from a stratum 1
time server, and so on.
Note |
The Cisco implementation of NTP does not support stratum 1 service. |
Before you begin
Configure and connect to the management port.
Procedure
Step 1 |
Enter the XR configuration mode. Example:
|
||
Step 2 |
Synchronize the console clock with the specified sever. Example:
The NTP source IP address can either be an IPv4 or an IPv6 address. For example:
|
||
Step 3 |
Commit the configuration. Example:
|
||
Step 4 |
Verify that the clock is synchronised with the NTP server. Example:
|