Starting a Router Terminal Session

This chapter describes how to start a terminal session with the IR8140H using the console port. The console port is found in the CPU module.

Start a terminal session with the router when you are at the router installation location and want to administer the router with a direct connection using the CLI software.

These topics are discussed:

Before You Begin

Before you start a terminal session with the router, you must connect a PC or PC terminal to the router console port.

About the Console Port

The console port is found in the CPU module, as shown in the following figure.

Figure 1. CPU Module with Console Port

1

M42 plug

2

Console port

To access the console port, open the M42 plug.

The console port is an asynchronous serial port that allows you to connect to the device for initial configuration through a standard RS-232 port with an RJ-45 connector. Any device connected to this port must be capable of asynchronous transmission.


Caution


The console port does not support cable glands. When a cable is connected to this port, the router's interior is exposed to environmental elements, which can damage the port and the router's interior. This port should be exposed only during terminal sessions, when a cable is connected to the port. This port should never be left unattended when in use.


The console port is an asynchronous serial port that allows you to connect to the device for initial configuration through a standard RS-232 port with an RJ-45 connector. Any device connected to this port must be capable of asynchronous transmission.

Console Port Settings

Configure the following parameters for the console port:

Parameter

Console Port Setting

Description

Baud

9600

Specifies the transmission speed for the connection.

Data bits

8

Specifies the number of bits in an 8-bit byte that is used for data.

Parity

None

Specifies the odd or even parity for error detection.

Stop bits

1

Specifies the number of stop bits for an asynchronous line.

Using the Ctrl-C Command

The router console port is located in the router's exterior and can be accessed by removing the seal over the console port (see CPU Module with Console Port).

On many Cisco routers, you can enter Ctrl-C to interrupt the router startup process and then delete or change the admin password, or view or delete the router configuration.

To prevent unauthorized access to the router configurations and passwords, the Ctrl-C command is disabled on the router while it is booting up and loading the system software.

Connecting to the Console Port with Microsoft Windows

To connect to the router console port using Microsoft Windows:

Procedure


Step 1

Start a terminal emulator application, such as Windows HyperTerminal (included with some versions of the Windows operating system) or PuTTY.

Step 2

Configure the terminal emulation software with the parameters described in About the Console Port.

Step 3

Connect to the router.


Connecting to the Console Port with Mac OS X

To connect a Mac OS X system USB port to the console using the built-in OS X Terminal utility:

Procedure


Step 1

Use the Finder application, and go to Applications > Utilities > Terminal .

Step 2

Connect the OS X USB port to the router.

Step 3

Enter the following commands to find the OS X USB port number:

macbook:user$ cd /dev
macbook:user$ ls -ltr /dev/*usb*
crw-rw-rw-  1 root    wheel       9,  66 Apr  1 16:46 tty.usbmodem1a21 DT-macbook:dev user$

Step 4

Connect to the USB port with the following command, followed by the router USB port speed:

macbook:user$ screen /dev/tty.usbmodem1a21 9600

To disconnect the OS X USB console from the Terminal window, press Ctrl+A followed by Ctrl+\ .


Connecting to the Console Port with Linux

To connect a Linux system USB port to the console using the built-in Linux Terminal utility:

Procedure


Step 1

Open the Linux Terminal window.

Step 2

Connect the Linux USB port to the router.

Step 3

Enter the following commands to find the Linux USB port number:

root@usb-suse# cd /dev
root@usb-suse /dev# ls -ltr *ACM*
crw-r--r--    1 root     root     188,   0 Jan 14 18:02 ttyACM0
root@usb-suse /dev#

Step 4

Connect to the USB port with the following command followed by the router USB port speed:

root@usb-suse /dev# screen /dev/ttyACM0 9600

To disconnect the Linux USB console from the Terminal window, press Ctrl+A followed by : , and then enter quit .