Lab 2.2.2 Routers – Overview
Estimated time: 20 min.
Objectives:
 Determine the model number of a Cisco router and what physical interfaces (ports) it has.
 Identify the cables attached to the router and what they connect to.
 Check and/or modify HyperTerminal configuration parameters.
 Connect to the router as its console using the PC and HyperTerminal program.
 Determine the IOS version and file name.
 Determine the CPU type, amount of RAM, NVRAM and Flash memory.
Background:
In this lab you will examine a Cisco router to gather information about its physical
characteristics and begin to relate Cisco router products to their function. You will determine
the model number and features of a specific Cisco router including which interfaces are
present and to which cabling and devices they are connected.
A router is basically a dedicated microcomputer that has a Central Processing Unit (CPU), an
operating system (Cisco IOS), and RAM and ROM inside. Routers do not have disk drives,
keyboards or monitors. One of the ways to configure or program the router is to connect
directly to it with a PC or a dumb terminal. The PC provides a monitor and keyboard for the
router which is referred to as its "console". The PC becomes the console which allows you to
enter commands and communicate directly with the router. In this lab, you will work with a PC
workstation using the Windows HyperTerminal (terminal emulation) program to act as a
console to the router and you will configure the proper PC serial port settings in order to
connect to and communicate with it.
Tools / Preparation:
Prior to starting the lab, the teacher or lab assistant will need to check that a router is available
and that a PC workstation is connected as a console with HyperTerminal installed and
properly configured to access the router. The router should be exposed with all sides clearly
visible so that all physical connections and cables can be inspected. Work in teams of 2 or
more. Before beginning this lab you may want to review Chapters 3 and 4 in the Cisco
Networking Academy First-Year Companion Guide and Semester 2 On-line Chapter 2.
The following resources will be required:
 Windows PC w/ HyperTerminal installed and configured to access the router
 Cisco Router (16xx or 25xx model)
 Console Cable (Roll-Over) connecting the PC serial port to the router console port
 CAT 5 Ethernet Cable attached to an Ethernet port
 Ethernet hub or switch
 WAN Cable attached to a Serial port
Web Site Resources:
Routing basics
General information on routers
2500 series routers
1600 series routers
Terms and acronyms
IP routing protocol IOS command summary
Notes:
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Step 1 - Examine the router.
1. What is the model number?
2. Do you see a console port? (Y/N)
What port is it connected to on the console terminal (PC workstation)?
3. What type of cable is the console cable, and is it a roll-over, cross-connect or
straight-through cable?
Step 2 - Record all of the interfaces (or port connectors) on the router and, any cable attached.
Explanation: If the port has a cable attached, identify the cable type, connector, and the
device attached to the other end. (If a port does not have a cable you should be able to
identify the connector type that would be used)
5. Fill in the following table.
Router Interface/ Port
Identifier
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Cable type/
Connector
Device and port to which cable is
connected
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Step 3 - Review the workstation's 'HyperTerminal' configuration.
Explanation: Click on Start/Programs/Accessories/Communications, and then
HyperTerminal. Right Click on the icon that is defined for console access to the Cisco Router
and then click Properties. The icon may be named Cisco.ht or something similar. If one does
not exist you can create it using the settings shown in the answers to the worksheet. On the
Properties screen, click the Phone Number Tab and then click the on the Configure button.
6. Fill in the following table with the information indicated.
Configuration Option
Current Setting(s)
COM Port
Bits per second
Data bits
Parity
Stop Bits
Flow control
Step 4 - Display IOS version and other important information related to RAM, NVRAM and Flash
memory with the show version command
Task: Connect to the console port on the router and enter the show version command.
Explanation: The router will return information about the IOS and memory.
7. What is the IOS version?
8. What is the name of the system image (IOS) file?
9. From where was the router IOS image booted?
10. What type of processor (CPU) and how much RAM does this router have?
11. How many Ethernet interfaces does this router have?
12. How many Serial interfaces?
13. The router backup configuration file is stored in Non-Volatile Random Access Memory
(NVRAM). How much NVRAM does this router have?
14. The router operating system (IOS) is stored in Flash memory. How much flash memory
does this router have?
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Lab 2.2.2 Routers - Answers
Step 1
1. Examine the router. What is the model number? Cisco 2514 (will vary)
2. Do you see a console port? Yes What port is it connected to on the Console terminal (PC
workstation)? 9-pin serial COM1 port with an RJ-45 converter
3. What type of cable is the console cable? Is it a roll-over, cross-connect or straight-through
cable? The cable is a roll-over (Pin 1 to pin 8, pin 2 to pin 7 and so on)
Step 2
4. Fill in the following table. (these are examples)
Router Interface/ Port
Cable type/ Connector
Identifier
Console
Roll Over, RJ-45
AUX
E0 (AUI0)
BRI0
To0 (DB9)
S0 (synchronous)
S1 (synchronous)
Step 3
None
Device and port to which
cable is connected
PC Serial port com1 (9-Pin)
Used for modem with remote
dial in
CAT 5 Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP)
Ethernet Hub or Switch
& 8-pin RJ-45 or DB15
Not used, RJ-45
Basic Rate Interface ISDN
Not used, connector female
Token Ring Interface
WAN link connection to other
Serial cable DB60 to V.35
router
Not used
WAN link connection
5. Fill in the following table with the information indicated.
Configuration Option
COM Port
Bits per second
Data bits
Parity
Stop Bits
Flow control
Step 4
Current Setting(s)
Direct to COM1
9600
8
None
2
Hardware
Display IOS version and other important information related to RAM, NVRAM and Flash
memory with the show version command (refer to the "show version" output listed following
the questions)
6. What is the IOS version? Version 11.1(5)
7. What is the name of the system image (IOS) file? flash:igs-j-l.111-5
8. From where was the router IOS image booted? Flash memory
9. What type of processor (CPU) and how much RAM does this router have? cisco 2500
(68030) processor (revision N) with 6144K/2048K bytes of memory.
10. How many Ethernet interfaces does this router have? 1 Ethernet/IEEE 802.3 interface
11. How many Serial interfaces? 2 Serial network interfaces
12. The router backup configuration file is stored in Non-Volatile Random Access Memory
(NVRAM). How much NVRAM does this router have? 32K bytes of non-volatile
configuration memory
13. The router operating system (IOS) is stored in Flash memory. How much flash memory
does this router have? 8192K bytes of processor board System flash (Read ONLY)
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Results of show version command (Output generated by a Cisco 2501 router)
Router> show version
Cisco Internetwork Operating System Software
IOS (tm) 3000 Software (IGS-J-L), Version 11.1(5), RELEASE SOFTWARE
(fc1)
Copyright (c) 1986-1996 by cisco Systems, Inc.
Compiled Mon 05-Aug-96 11:48 by mkamson
Image text-base: 0x0303794C, data-base: 0x00001000
ROM: System Bootstrap, Version 11.0(10c), SOFTWARE
ROM: 3000 Bootstrap Software (IGS-BOOT-R), Version 11.0(10c),
RELEASE SOFTWARE (fc1)
Router uptime is 15 minutes
System restarted by power-on
System image file is "flash:igs-j-l.111-5", booted via flash
cisco 2500 (68030) processor (revision N) with 6144K/2048K bytes
of memory.
Processor board ID 05645767, with hardware revision 00000000
Bridging software.
SuperLAT software copyright 1990 by Meridian Technology Corp).
X.25 software, Version 2.0, NET2, BFE and GOSIP compliant.
TN3270 Emulation software (copyright 1994 by TGV Inc).
1 Ethernet/IEEE 802.3 interface.
2 Serial network interfaces.
32K bytes of non-volatile configuration memory.
8192K bytes of processor board System flash (Read ONLY)
Configuration register is 0x2102
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