Cisco 2501 and 2503 Routers

[WNxNuitari]

So, I picked up a copy of the CCNA 5th Edition Exam Guide the other day, intent on getting my CCNA. A few pages in, I've concluded that this is going to take some more work than I had originally thought, but I'm still going for it. Anyways, the guide recommended getting ahold of some 2500-2600 series routers, so I checked eBay and found a few that were reasonably priced. The 2503 arrived today, 2501 should get here tomorrow.

Problem: reading a manual I found on Cisco's website, they keep mentioning something called "HyperTerminal," but I can't find this software (or any specific directions on connecting to the router). There's also mention of a rollover RJ-45 cable, but nothing specific on that either.

So... I've got a BRI, AUX, and CONSOLE port on the back of this one, all of which appear to be RJ-45, but my computer won't acknowledge any of them. There are also Serial 1, Serial 2, and AUI ports, but I'm not familiar with the cabling. Cisco mentions that they connect to the COM port... but my ABIT Fatal1ty doesn't seem to have one. My older computer does have one however, if I absolutely need to use it.

Anyways, anyone care to help me get started here? ie, how do I connect to the router (using RJ-45 to RJ-45 straight-through cabling if possible, or RJ-45 to RJ-45 rollover/crossover if not. If I have to use the COM ports, then I have to, but I really would rather not), where do I get this "HyperTerminal" software, and anything else you think a Cisco noob might need to know.

Any assistance appreciated, thanks

[cyr0n_k0r]

Start > Programs > Accessories > Communications > HyperTerminal

[Kaos]

you need a console cable for one, or a db9 to rj-45 adapter, basically youre going from your serial port on your pc to the console port of the router.

open up hyperterminal as mentioned above.

make sure your connection settings are

9600
8
No
1

if the connections screen doesnt appear you may have to press enter once to get to the underpriveleged prompt (i dont think thats the official term for it) and your book should take you from there.

if you end up with a db9 adapter a rollover cable is just a piece of 4pr wire (cat5 will work) with reverse pinouts on each end

normally you just take a patch cable (try to stay under 15ft they get finnicky above that) and chop one end off and then arrange the pins in reverse order to the other end.
ex (if the one end is 568b)

w/o-----------br
o---------------w/br
w/g------------gr
bl--------------w/bl
w/bl-----------bl
gr--------------w/g
w/br-----------o
br--------------w/o

once you're in go to the chapter on setting up telnet/ssh and then you can connect through a command shell such as command prompt on windows or bash on linux.

[Boscoh]

What the above post said...

Plus, you'll need a console cable to plug into the console port in order to configure the router. It's a rollover cable with an RJ45 on one end, and a DB9 on the other end (for your serial port). You can buy off ebay, or make your own. (http://www.cisco.com/warp/public/701/14.html)

Is your Exam Guide just a single book, or is it the Preparation Library? The most current editoin is 6.

If it's not the Perpation Library, then I'd also HIGHLY recommend that you pick up the Cisco book called "Interconnecting Cisco Network Devices (ICND), 2nd edition". Since you're starting from the basics, you'll need this book. This book is included with the Preparation Library.

[EDIT] Too slow........................................................

[M.D.K.]

For the RJ45 you need to connect to the AUI port using a tranciever like this one: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=9703151625&category=73320

If you want to use a single 25XX to be a gateway etc, you need a 2514 with 2 aui ports, or use two 2501's with a serial crossover.


I have absolutely no idea how I ended up in this thread, as I was browsing nowhere near it, but I just happened to know the answer.

[WNxNuitari]

Ok, I've got a thousand feet of CAT5e and ends/boots on the way, I'll just make one of the rollover cables. I'll check eBay for the DB9 (whatever that is) adapter.

This transceiver you linked, does that box connect straight to the router? I see no cable included, and if I still need the serial cable, what's the point?

Thanks for the responses.

[atomiser]

also, you mentioned that your 'main' pc seems to be lacking a serial port... if you dont want to have to much around with your older pc then you can get usb to serial adaptors from ebay for not a lot of cash. i've never actually used one so i cant vouch for their reliability but i do know they exist. cheers.

[Kaos]

Thats what I have to use for my iBook to interface with routers/switches.

[PHUNBALL]

also, you mentioned that your 'main' pc seems to be lacking a serial port... if you dont want to have to much around with your older pc then you can get usb to serial adaptors from ebay for not a lot of cash. i've never actually used one so i cant vouch for their reliability but i do know they exist. cheers.

They work great, a must have for anyone working with Cisco equipment when they have a modern laptop (no serial port)...

I would be dead without it...

[VeeDubbs]

They work great, a must have for anyone working with Cisco equipment when they have a modern laptop (no serial port)...

I would be dead without it...
Agreed - I'd be dead without it. I think I picked mine up at coolgear.com.

[WNxNuitari]

Yeah, I picked one up (a USB to COM cable). I like my old computer, it has nothing installed on it right now (besides Windows and MSN), so it boots up and shuts down within seconds.

Right now, I'm living in the front room. I've only had wireless in my room since we moved here, and I really can't stand it. So I packed everything up and ported it to the room beside the router so I'd be able to wire myself straight in. Once that thousand foot spool arrives, I'll feed a line to my room then move everything back in there. I've got two desks perpendicular to each other, so both computers will be set up and running, I'll just need to spin to access the other one. It's not inconvenient.

My main PC has the Fatal1ty motherboard--I've never used a COM port in my life before I had to set my uncle's GPS tracking system up for him... and that was only last month, so that wasn't in mind when I purchased the motherboard. I also didn't notice until I received it that it didn't have dual LAN. Still, that's a small issue.

So yeah... I'll talk to the teacher at my high school who does the Cisco classes and see what he has laying around. :)

[Kaos]

I made little adapters so that i could only carry short little adapters and do all the cabling over normal cat5 straight throughs

i have crossover adapters, rollover, null modem all kinds of stuff, fits in a small ziploc bag and then all i have to do is use a coupler to connect them to a normal patch cable.

[WNxNuitari]

I made little adapters so that i could only carry short little adapters and do all the cabling over normal cat5 straight throughs

i have crossover adapters, rollover, null modem all kinds of stuff, fits in a small ziploc bag and then all i have to do is use a coupler to connect them to a normal patch cable.

If I only had your patience-

[PHUNBALL]

If I only had your patience-

No Kidding, I'll stick with my nice molded cables from Cisco...

[WNxNuitari]

Although, I suppose I could relatively easily make a short section of rollover, then stick a coupler on each end and that could be my tool. However, I don't do this as a profession (yet, anyways) so it wouldn't really be necessary.

Still, for someone who *does* do it frequently and/or as a profession, it must be nice :-p

[Kaos]

Although, I suppose I could relatively easily make a short section of rollover, then stick a coupler on each end and that could be my tool. However, I don't do this as a profession (yet, anyways) so it wouldn't really be necessary.

Still, for someone who *does* do it frequently and/or as a profession, it must be nice :-p

every single day.

just sucks to carry my molded cisco cable, a crossover cable, a null modem cable, and a straight through in my laptop bag, Im a minimalist when it comes to my laptop bag, as little as possible so having a tiny baggie and a 6 foot section of flat cat6 with rj-45's made the most sense to me in terms of space.

basically I have a 3" section of yellow (crossover), a 3" section of light blue (rolloever), a 3" section for null modem

after i went through the mess to make mine I ended up finding someone who made a guide
http://www.ossmann.com/5-in-1.html

ive been working on improving the design by using an rj45 with a selector knob...still havnt totally finished it.

even if you wanted to carry less..take the cisco molded cable and cut it to about 4 or 5 inches and then put a new 45 on it the same way as the end you cut off, then just use a coupler.

[amenthes]

I've never used a COM port in my life before I had to set my uncle's GPS tracking system up for him
AAAH! You're making me feel old, stop!


From experience, its hard to beat the reliability of a good ol' powder blue cisco console cable. I've used serial adapters with CAT5 patch cords, and its flaky more often than not.

If you're serious about the CCNA, and going further, you're going to want to connect your two routers up together in a mini-lab setup so you can actually play with routing. (I'm assuming that was your point in buying two routers, right?) Chances are the only way to connect them* will be via serial. Now THAT cable is definately not something you can make.

This would be the item: http://cgi.ebay.com/6FT-CISCO-DB60-60-PIN-MALE-M-CROSS-OVER-SERIAL-CABLE-6_W0QQitemZ9706261166QQcategoryZ3704QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
That, a console cable, and a couple of AUI-RJ45 trancievers should do you.

*If both routers are ISDN, you may be able to use an ISDN crossover cable to connect them. It can be done with T1 WICs, not sure about ISDN though.

[WNxNuitari]

If you're serious about the CCNA, and going further, you're going to want to connect your two routers up together in a mini-lab setup so you can actually play with routing. (I'm assuming that was your point in buying two routers, right?)

Yeah ;( What did I get myself into?

Now THAT cable is definately not something you can make.

Pfft, let me clean the rust off my soldering iron and I'll see what I can cook up. Hah. Hah. Crap. There's just no cheap way to do this, is there?

*If both routers are ISDN, you may be able to use an ISDN crossover cable to connect them. It can be done with T1 WICs, not sure about ISDN though.

So, this will undoubtedly make you feel old once again, but would you believe that I know exactly nothing about ISDN? I'd have to Google it to even find out what it stands for. Sad, yes? I'm only 18, give me a break ;(

So, I decide one day that I want to take the CCNA. So I check around and find Pearson VUE, who I can schedule a test through... register... da de da... $125!? My god that's expensive. Maybe I should study first. $50 for the exam guide? Bah... better than not passing the test, why not.

Open the book, "get your hands on a couple Cisco 2500 or 2600 series routers..." what?

So, some more money later...

AUI receiver and USB-to-DB9 on the way. Also, 1000 feet of CAT5e and 100 boots/RJ-45 jacks. But that cabling is for use at the LAN parties I frequent, it just might come in handy for Cisco stuff.

Now I need these ungodly expensive cables? Just shoot me.

:) Help still appreciated, and I can't imagine having too much [help].

*edit* Oops, almost forgot to ask, I've ordered one AUI transceiver, will order more as necessary... but while we're at it, what purpose does this particular money-sink serve?

[amenthes]

So, this will undoubtedly make you feel old once again, but would you believe that I know exactly nothing about ISDN? I'd have to Google it to even find out what it stands for. Sad, yes? I'm only 18, give me a break ;(

Integrated Services Digital Network :P
And I'm only 23, so thats no excuse!


I don't think that that serial cable should be expensive, its on ebay for under twenty bucks.

As far as the AUI tranceivers go, they allow you to connect the routers to an ethernet network. You'll need two if you're going to do it right, so you can set up two ethernet networks, one on each side of each router.

Don't rush this, most people I know that have gone for their CCNA have spent at least 6 months working on this stuff, some longer. You've got a ton more than routers to learn too. Subnetting, OSI model, VLANs, the list goes on.

The best thing you can do is sit down and read that book, and possibly others, front to back, before you start playing with anything. That being said, once you have a basic idea of what youre doing, you can learn a lot more a lot faster by hands-on experimenting.

[WNxNuitari]

So, all said and done, I'm going to have a DB60-to-DB60 connecting the routers, two AUI Transceivers (do I need additional DB60-to-DB60 cables to connect the AUI transceivers to the routers, or are they a different interface?) connected to the routers on one end, and my switch on the other end, and a DB9-to-RJ-45 connecting my computer to one of the routers? Pfft.

Leaving for school in a few minutes, I'll see what the Cisco teacher might have laying around.

I don't think that that serial cable should be expensive, its on ebay for under twenty bucks.

I wouldn't mind paying $10-15 for the cable, it's the $10-15 for shipping that pisses me off :-p

[amenthes]

The AUI tranceivers plug directly into the AUI port on the router. It's just a 15 Pin D-Sub connector, no cables/converters needed.

[Darkstar850]

So, I decide one day that I want to take the CCNA. So I check around and find Pearson VUE, who I can schedule a test through... register... da de da... $125!? My god that's expensive. Maybe I should study first. $50 for the exam guide? Bah... better than not passing the test, why not.

Open the book, "get your hands on a couple Cisco 2500 or 2600 series routers..." what?

So, some more money later...


Ya, it isn't cheap, but its worth it. My CCNA cost me around 300-400 (used a software simulator). I spent probably at least 1500 on books, gear, and test fees for my CCNP, if not more. However the CCNA and a good interview got me a shot in network operations, and my CCNP has easily paid for itself in just 4 months.

[WNxNuitari]

Yeah, I talked to the school's Electronics/Cisco/PC Repair teacher. He has a sweet setup in his classroom... About three dozen computers, half a dozen 2500/2600/3600 series routers, a couple Cache Engines, Frame Relays, Catalysts... enough CAT5 to replace the steel cabling on the Golden Gate Bridge...

So, speaking of CAT5, the spool arrived today. Yay, 1000 feet. Hey look, another box, must be the boots and ends... yep, there are the boots... wait... where are the ends? >.< The RJ-45 jacks are still three hours away. Apparently, they shipped the ends from Tennessee, whereas the rest was already here in California with me. Pfft.

So, I saw the transceivers on the Cisco teacher's setup, noticed that they were plugged straight in. That saves some wires. I'm not quite sure what purpose they'll serve on my network, but if nothing else, they'll add some clutter to my switch. I bought a 24-port to use at LAN parties, but otherwise, it just sits there with 22 blank ports. I've got my internet/computer running through it just to say I'm using it.

So uh, I guess we're just left discussing random things until I get ahold of a DB60-to-DB60.

[JTY]

Check ebay, or use Froogle to find the DB60 crossover cable. I got mine for less than $11 shipped off ebay.

[WNxNuitari]

I should use Froogle more often...

Monoprice.com had a 3' for $10 shipped. >.<

Thank you JTY :)