Connecting to a Cisco Device over the Network (1)

Example

Office 1

• Local Area Network
  • [PC], [Server], [Server] -> switch
• Router

Office 2

• Local Area Network
  • [PC], [Laptop] -> switch
• Router

Office 1 <–> Production Network <–> Office 2

• Assume you are at the PC in office 2 and you want to connect to the router in office 1 to change configurations.
• Use Secure Shell (SSH) to connect to its management IP address over the network
  • note that oyu could also use Telnet, but this protocol is insecure
  • commands entered in SSH are encrypted (as opposed to commands entered in Telnet)
• secure login typically enforced through integration with a centralised AAA server (Authentication, Authorization, Accounting)

Download and install Putty

• package for downloading can be found at putty.org
• for MacOS versions, see here

Connect to Router

• open Putty
• enter the IP address of the device you want to connect to
• enter your username and password
• now you’re on the command line of your router and can start configuring it

Management Network

In additon to the Production Network connecting Office 1 and Office 2 most companies have a Management Network connecting both offices.

Office 1 <–> Management Network <–> Office 2

In case there is a problem with the Production Network, the Management Network can be used as a backup

• connection via Production Network is called ìn Band (using the same path as normal staff does). Connection via Management Network is called Out of Band.