Cisco Router and Switch Console & VTY Access

Unlike your typical home router/switch devices, most Cisco business class routers and switches allow device configuration through the Command Line Interface (CLI). But just how do you get to this CLI to implement the network settings you desire? You do so by usually connecting to the device via console, VTY, or sometimes auxiliary (AUX) access.

When connecting by console, the device is physically located next to you and you connect what's called a roll-over cable or more commonly a console cable. you connect one end to your serial port (DB9 Port) on your PC and the other RJ45 port into the console port labeled on your Cisco router or Switch. Once you have physically connected to your device you can then use a terminal emulator such as Hyper terminal or Putty to access the Command Line Interface and communicate with your device.

Most times physical access to a business class Cisco Router or Switch isn't possible so you will usually connect to the CLI via the VTY settings. The Telnet and more commonly used Secure Shell (SSH) is used to remotely connect to a Cisco device. By using the device's IP address, one can access the device using Telnet or SSH from virtually any location. SSH is most often used due to its secure nature when sending information and commands across the vast Internet.

One other way to access a Cisco device is by using the AUX port which provides dial-in access similar to how a modem works. This type of access is particularly useful when the device looses IP connectivity but you still need to access the device to make configuration changes. Usually these configuration changes consists of configuring an alternate route for the device to route packets while it's normal IP route is down for whatever reason (e.i. T1 circuit looses physical connectivity).

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