Nov 28, 2012 This free and open source software has been over a year in the making and is specifically designed by a highly expereinced network engineer (Me!) for network engineers. And the best part IT'S FREE (oh yes, I mentioned that already). A Free, and Open Source, Network Configuration Management tool. Web based, fast, and customizable. May 03, 2018 The “Cisco 860, Cisco 880, and Cisco 890 Series Integrated Services Routers Software Configuration Guide, Troubleshooting” section may also be helpful. Configuring the Training Log Using the CLI When you initiate the training log capture using the debug vdsl 0 training log on the Cisco 866VAE, Cisco 867VAE, Cisco 866VAE-K9, and Cisco 867VAE-K9 ISRs, the training log file opens. Get support for Linksys Linksys E900 N300 WiFi Router. Text.skipToContent text. Installing the wrong software could create configuration issues for your network.
The Cisco ASA 5505 Firewall is the smallest model in the new 5500 Cisco series of hardware appliances. Although this model is suitable for small businesses, branch offices or even home use, its firewall security capabilities are the same as the biggest models (5510, 5520, 5540 etc). Select Configuration Professional Software as the software type: Choose the software version you would like to download and click the Download button: If a web page is displayed that asks for your Cisco.com credentials, enter them and click Log In.
When it comes to network monitoring and administration tools, the options are plentiful — and often overwhelming. Even after a few months of installing recommended tools, I often forget which ones do what and how to use them. And I know I'm not the only one.
In my weekly Cisco Routers and Switches column, I frequently introduce a tool that helps improve and simplify Cisco router and switch management and configuration. I've heard from readers about their own experiences and favorite tools, which has often inspired me to write columns about some of the more handy choices.
But now, I want to create a definitive list of Cisco management tools that should be in every administrator's toolbox, and I need your help. Readers, which tools can't you live without?
Before you answer, let's look at some of the tools I've discussed in the past:
These are all great tools, and there are plenty more out there. For example, what about SolarWinds Engineer's Toolkits and CiscoWorks?
But how many network tools can you really use? How many tools do you have installed that you actually use consistently? The reality is that, while there are many helpful tools available, we often stick to a few tried-and-true picks.
In my case, just after installing a Syslog server (Kiwi), TFTP server (tftpd32), SSH/Telnet client (SecureCRT), network monitoring (WhatsUp), protocol analysis (Wireshark/Ethereal), and network performance tool (PRTG), I'm exhausted. It can be difficult to recall what all the tools were and how they function — and even more difficult to keep them all up to date with the latest version. In the case of the more complex tools, you may need a class or a large book to learn how to use the tool.
My Start menu is so full of tools that it's beginning to take over my 19-inch monitor when I click Start. Why do I need so many tools?
Cisco Router Basic Configuration
I can't be the only one overwhelmed by all these tools, and it's time to narrow it down. Here's what I want to know:
I want to hear from you! Jump into this article's discussion, and weigh in with your thoughts and experiences. It's rare to be able to do everything you need to do on a network using only the Cisco IOS. The reality is that additional tools are necessary. However, because of the plethora of tools available, the challenge is selecting the right tools.
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David Davis has worked in the IT industry for 12 years and holds several certifications, including CCIE, MCSE+I, CISSP, CCNA, CCDA, and CCNP. He currently manages a group of systems/network administrators for a privately owned retail company and performs networking/systems consulting on a part-time basis.
A few months ago, I wrote 'Eight ways to strengthen your Cisco networking skills,' and the second suggestion I listed for improving your abilities was to use a simulator. However, while simulators are useful, there's something even better that you can get for free — an emulator.
What's the difference? A simulator attempts to re-create the Cisco IOS using a programming language, but an emulator takes the real IOS router code, which you supply, and emulates the hardware behind it so you can run the real IOS on your PC.
With a simulator, there are always missing commands and programming errors, and it can never really be as complete as the real IOS. However, because an emulator runs the IOS, you get every feature that the real IOS has (based on the limitations of the emulated hardware, of course).
For example, if your emulated hardware has a Gig Ethernet interface, and the IOS supports a Gig Ethernet interface on that platform, then you can use the Gig Ethernet interface. If, however, your emulated hardware doesn't have a VoIP FXS card, then you wouldn't be able to configure one in the Cisco IOS, even if the IOS supported it.
What is Dynamips?
You can use the Dynamips Emulator for training purposes and testing configurations. You can create configurations and later deploy them to real routers. The Dynamips Emulator can boot IOS images from 7200, 3600, 3700, and 2600 series routers, even including the latest and greatest 12.4T IOS (something that my old 2600 router can't do because it doesn't have enough RAM).
One caveat is that you must supply the IOS for any router that you're going to emulate. It is, of course, illegal to distribute the IOS and only legal to obtain it by purchasing and downloading it from Cisco. However, if you already have a router that's one of these models, you can copy that IOS into the Dynamips Emulator for testing and training purposes.
What is Dynagen?
Dynagen is the text-based front end for the Dynamips Emulator. It allows you to automatically provision Dynamips-emulated networks. It has a large following, supported through 7200emu.hacki.at Forum for Dynamips & Dynagen.
Now, as much as I like using Dynamips and Dynagen together, their configuration can be challenging for new users to understand. However, a package called GNS3 helps make it easier.
What is the Graphical Network Simulator?
A new open source project that helps improve on Dynamips is the Graphical Network Simulator (GNS). Linked to Dynamips and Dynagen, GNS3 is available precompiled for Windows, and the source is available if you want to run it on Linux or Mac OS X.
The GNS3 Windows all-in-one installation package includes Dynamips, WinPCAP, and GNS3. Let's walk through installing and using GNS3.
First, I downloaded the GNS3 Windows all-in-one package and installed it. To install WinPCAP, I did have to reboot my PC. Once installed, I ran GNS3 from the desktop icon the installation process created.
This brought up a nice GUI interface that was similar to some of the Cisco IOS simulators I've seen. I was able to quickly create a sample network by dragging and dropping router icons and then connecting them with the Connection tool. Figure A offers a screenshot of what it looked like.
Figure A Figure BNext, I started the Dynamips Emulator by go to Preferences | Dynamips and clicking Test. Figure C offers a screenshot. Figure CFrom here, I could configure the specifications for the router — amount of RAM, Flash, cards in slots, and configuration-register. Next, to use the network, click the Emulation Modebutton.Once in Emulation Mode, click the Play button to start the IOS instances of all routers. Figure D offers a screenshot. Figure DThis launches a console for each router, and it boots up the routers, as shown in Figure E. Cisco Router Configuration software, free downloadFigure EAs you can see, just like a real test lab with multiple routers, I was able to configure these two routers to communicate with each other by configuring IP addressing, enabling the interfaces, and configuring a routing protocol. Figure F shows how I configured basic RIP routing and how the router received a RIP route from the other router. Cisco Router Configuration Software DownloadFigure F
While I recommend building your own lab so you can get a better understanding of how it works, there are also some sample labs available when you install Dynagen. I've also seen some sample labs and an entire CCIE commercial lab workbook, all based on using Dynamips, on the Internetwork Expert Web site.
Cisco Router Configuration CommandsConclusionCisco Router Config Software
The ability to run multiple routers inside your PC is very useful for testing and training. It can save you the time and trouble from having to invest in a test Cisco network, and it certainly makes it more convenient. I hope that by trying and using GNS and Dynamips, you can become a better Cisco network administrator.
Cisco Router Configuration Sheet
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