Day-1 | Cisco Routers and Switches Complete Configuration on Real Devices |#ciscoccna #ccnp #cisco

3 min read 23 days ago
Published on Aug 08, 2025 This response is partially generated with the help of AI. It may contain inaccuracies.

Table of Contents

Introduction

This tutorial provides a step-by-step guide on how to configure Cisco routers and switches using real devices. It is designed for beginners and covers the essential process of accessing these devices through a console cable. Following these steps will help you establish a connection and set up your networking devices effectively.

Step 1: Gather Required Hardware

Before you begin the configuration process, ensure you have the following hardware:

  • Real Cisco routers and switches
  • Power cables for the devices
  • Console cable (usually a serial cable)
  • Laptop or desktop computer

Step 2: Install Required Software

To communicate with your Cisco devices, you will need terminal emulation software. Follow these steps to install the software:

  1. Download and install PuTTY from the official website.
  2. Launch PuTTY once the installation is complete.

Step 3: Connect the Console Cable

Establish a physical connection between your computer and the Cisco device:

  1. Connect one end of the console cable to the console port on the Cisco router or switch.
  2. Connect the other end of the console cable to a USB port on your laptop or desktop.
  3. If your laptop does not have a serial port, you may need a USB to serial adapter.

Step 4: Configure PuTTY for Connection

Now that the hardware is connected, configure PuTTY to access the Cisco device:

  1. Open PuTTY.
  2. In the "Session" category, select "Serial" as the connection type.
  3. Enter the appropriate COM port number (e.g., COM3). You can check this in the Device Manager if unsure.
  4. Set the following connection settings:
    • Speed: 9600 (this is the standard baud rate for Cisco devices)
    • Data bits: 8
    • Stop bits: 1
    • Parity: None
    • Flow control: None
  5. Click on "Open" to initiate the connection.

Step 5: Access the Device Console

Once the connection is established, you should see a terminal window:

  1. Press the Enter key to access the device's console.
  2. You may be prompted to log in. If it’s a new device, you might not need credentials initially.

Step 6: Start Basic Configuration

Now that you have access to the device, you can start configuring it:

  1. Enter privileged EXEC mode by typing enable and pressing Enter.
  2. You can now enter global configuration mode by typing configure terminal or conf t.

Here are some basic commands you might want to explore:

  • To set the hostname:
    hostname YourRouterName
    
  • To configure an interface:
    interface GigabitEthernet0/0
    ip address 192.168.1.1 255.255.255.0
    no shutdown
    

Conclusion

In this tutorial, you learned how to access and configure Cisco routers and switches using a console cable and PuTTY. The steps included gathering the necessary hardware, installing software, making connections, and starting basic configurations. Next, you can explore advanced configurations or dive deeper into specific networking concepts by following the related playlists provided in the video description. Happy networking!