Configure a Cisco Router

1.      Determine what type of network, WAN or VPN you need to configure. Gather IP addresses, the network protocol, subnet mask, and any addresses of gateways that may be needed, and write this information down. These are all bits of information that may be required for proper setup of a Cisco Router.

2.      Connect the Cisco Router and the PC together with the cable provided. Turn the PC on.

3.      Navigate to Hyperterminal if you are running Windows XP, this is done by going to Start >> Programs >> Accessories >> Communications >> Hyperterminal. For any other operating system, navigate to the appropriate Hyperterminal emulation program.

4.      Configure the new connection by naming it Cisco and use the default Com 1 Port, set the baud rate to 9600. You will do this by filling out the appropriate boxes that appear.

5.      Click OK and you are in the routers console. Power up the router and it will show the boot up screen in the console window. This is set up mode. You may use this set up mode to configure the router, or continue on to configure the router with a terminal window.

6.      If you want to use the terminal window interface, type n and press enter. You will now see a screen with router shown. This is user mode which will not allow you to make changes. If a router name has been previously assigned, it will be shown. “Router” will be used in place of “router name” in these instructions.

7.      Type enable and hit enter. You should now see router#, this means you are in privileged mode; however, you can only view information in this mode. You cannot change how the router works or what information it uses in this mode.

8.      Type configure terminal and press enter, router(config)# should now be seen on your screen. This is Global Configuration Mode, you will use it to change the information the router operates with.

9.      Type ? at the prompt and a list of commands will be shown. Type the name of the command ?, and a description of what the command does will appear. The first command typed should probably be show ?, this will show a list of show commands such as IP protocols and ARP.

10.  You may now enter commands at this point to configure different aspects of the interface between the router and its components. It is beyond the scope of this article to explore all possible network scenarios and their configurations.