When I was preparing for my CCIE, i bought in four 3550's (magnificent switches) four 1841 ISR routers and three 3825 series routers...... So, I bought all this cool gear and was really excited...setting up new topologies.... configuring the technologies in my CCIE check list, But when I set everything up it struck me - How the hell am I going to access all these routers and switches.
It's not probable to run along and change the console cable. Right ?
Well I googled about my problem and found this device called "ACCESS SERVER / TERMINAL SERVER"
Don't worry you don't need a microsoft certification to set up this server. When we (guys at cisco) think about server, we immediately think of Microsoft.
SO what is this Access server. Well it's a router. ha... no, I am not kidding. But it's a special router. Not every router can be an access server, you need a special router. Cisco has a whole series dedicated to these router types.
It's 2500 series. There are currently 4 models, you need to check your resources and what you need before you buy one.
I am going to describe these models and provide you skills to set up an access server for your CCNP/CCIE labs. For CCNA you probably don't need it because of simulation programs such as Gns3 available, plus it's not wise to spend much on equipment. But if you got a heavy pocket-Go ahead buy one and get some hands on experience.
okay to resume what I was talking about.
1.2509 router : 1 Ethernet port.
2 synchronous serial ports
8 asynchronous serial ports
2. 2510 router : 1 Token ring
2 synchronous serial ports
3. 2511 router : 1 Ethernet port
2 synchronous serial ports
Note : All synchronous serial interfaces use the DB-60 connector at the chassis
Asynchronous serial interfaces use RJ-45 connectors
I personally use 2511 series as it has support for upto 16 devices.
Here's a pic :
Looks cool right ?
If you are still wondering when should one use a Terminal server. here's a scenario.
You see that guy at the bottom right ? Yeah it's me. And I want to configure all these routers in my network, This is a good example where a Terminal server is used. This provides me the ease of configuring all these devices by sitting here in my Air-conditioned office and I no longer need to stand in cold IT rooms. :)
More stuff you need to know
1. You need a special cable : An octal cable. It has 8 RJ45's which you connect to your routers/switches.
2. The other end will connect to Asynch port on the router.
3. Write down the numbers on the RJ45's. They correspond to something. (Something what ? Find below)
SAMPLE CONFIGURATION
Access-server> enable
Access-server# conf t
Access-server(config)# int loop 1
Access-server(config-if)# ip add 1.1.1.1 255.255.255.255
Access-server(config-if)#ex
Access-server(config)#ip host R1 2001 1.1.1.1
Access-server(config)#ip host R2 2002 1.1.1.1
Access-server(config)#ip host R3 2003 1.1.1.1
Access-server(config)#ip host R4 2004 1.1.1.1
Access-server(config)#ip host R5 2005 1.1.1.1
Access-server(config)#ip host SW1 2006 1.1.1.1
Access-server(config)#ip host SW2 2007 1.1.1.1
Access-server(config)#ip host SW3 2008 1.1.1.1
Access-server(config)#ip host SW4 2009 1.1.1.1
The Bold characters refer to your numbers on RJ45's. Remember I told you they mean something.
Another important thing, disable exec-timeout under Async lines. It prevents rogue exec sessions from being created. This will prevent garbage characters from being formed.
Good-bye and Take Care.
It's not probable to run along and change the console cable. Right ?
Well I googled about my problem and found this device called "ACCESS SERVER / TERMINAL SERVER"
Don't worry you don't need a microsoft certification to set up this server. When we (guys at cisco) think about server, we immediately think of Microsoft.
SO what is this Access server. Well it's a router. ha... no, I am not kidding. But it's a special router. Not every router can be an access server, you need a special router. Cisco has a whole series dedicated to these router types.
It's 2500 series. There are currently 4 models, you need to check your resources and what you need before you buy one.
I am going to describe these models and provide you skills to set up an access server for your CCNP/CCIE labs. For CCNA you probably don't need it because of simulation programs such as Gns3 available, plus it's not wise to spend much on equipment. But if you got a heavy pocket-Go ahead buy one and get some hands on experience.
okay to resume what I was talking about.
1.2509 router : 1 Ethernet port.
2 synchronous serial ports
8 asynchronous serial ports
2. 2510 router : 1 Token ring
2 synchronous serial ports
8 asynchronous serial ports
3. 2511 router : 1 Ethernet port
2 synchronous serial ports
16 asynchronous serial ports
4. 2512 router : 1 Token Ring
2 synchronous serial ports
16 asynchronous serial ports
Asynchronous serial interfaces use RJ-45 connectors
I personally use 2511 series as it has support for upto 16 devices.
Here's a pic :
If you are still wondering when should one use a Terminal server. here's a scenario.
You see that guy at the bottom right ? Yeah it's me. And I want to configure all these routers in my network, This is a good example where a Terminal server is used. This provides me the ease of configuring all these devices by sitting here in my Air-conditioned office and I no longer need to stand in cold IT rooms. :)
More stuff you need to know
1. You need a special cable : An octal cable. It has 8 RJ45's which you connect to your routers/switches.
2. The other end will connect to Asynch port on the router.
3. Write down the numbers on the RJ45's. They correspond to something. (Something what ? Find below)
SAMPLE CONFIGURATION
Access-server> enable
Access-server# conf t
Access-server(config)# int loop 1
Access-server(config-if)# ip add 1.1.1.1 255.255.255.255
Access-server(config-if)#ex
Access-server(config)#ip host R1 2001 1.1.1.1
Access-server(config)#ip host R2 2002 1.1.1.1
Access-server(config)#ip host R3 2003 1.1.1.1
Access-server(config)#ip host R4 2004 1.1.1.1
Access-server(config)#ip host R5 2005 1.1.1.1
Access-server(config)#ip host SW1 2006 1.1.1.1
Access-server(config)#ip host SW2 2007 1.1.1.1
Access-server(config)#ip host SW3 2008 1.1.1.1
Access-server(config)#ip host SW4 2009 1.1.1.1
The Bold characters refer to your numbers on RJ45's. Remember I told you they mean something.
Another important thing, disable exec-timeout under Async lines. It prevents rogue exec sessions from being created. This will prevent garbage characters from being formed.
Good-bye and Take Care.
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