Cisco Router Via My Mac Laptop

ashkewoof · 05-14-2003, 02:42 PM

I have been searching for a way to use my Apple laptop to connect directly to a Cisco router so that I may configure the router.

Currently, I have to use my Windows laptop (yuck) with a serial port connector and their native terminal program.

I would love to be able to use my Apple with a console cable and even a crossover to bring up the CLI from the Cisco router and configure it via a terminal emulator on my Mac.

Is anyone else doing this and is it possible to use a Mac to configure a Cisco router? This one last hurdle and I do not have to use a Windows box again in my work.

Thanks in advance.

Michael/Ashkewoof

hschickel · 05-14-2003, 03:40 PM

Keyspan "High Speed" USB Serial Adapter

Z-Term

Lots of routers and switches that are configured via serial cables can be set to use the less secure telnet to configure them but you'll still need a serial connection for the first run. I've found that the above works beautifully.

Hugh

tlarkin · 05-14-2003, 04:57 PM

Can you not telnet to your router via web browser? Also I have a cisco 670 (I think thats the model) DSL router. It came with cisco commander software that allows you to configure it. Possibly you could use similar software for this? My router does hook up via serial, but the software I believe went through over the ethernet connection.

ashkewoof · 05-14-2003, 05:36 PM

Thank you for your thoughts and response. :-) Yes, I can do all the config via telnet and have. What I am facing however is those times when I have to config a router out of the box or after a password recovery and other such events. For these and other reasons, you have to have a direct physical connection to the router/PIX/Switch it's self.

Apple has not responded to my repeated inquiries into this subject and I feel it is an important issue if Apple wants to be taken seriously as a network platform in addition to it's desk top offerings.

Mostly, I just hate having to resort to the old Windows laptop when I have to do these things. I would rather just have one laptop to do my job and I would like it to be a Mac.

Thanks again for your thoughts and help thus far.

Michael/Ashkewoof

sighup9 · 05-20-2003, 09:19 AM

[QUOTE]Originally posted by ashkewoof
Thank you for your thoughts and response. :-) Yes, I can do all the config via telnet and have. What I am facing however is those times when I have to config a router out of the box or after a password recovery and other such events. For these and other reasons, you have to have a direct physical connection to the router/PIX/Switch it's self.

Greettings,

I use zTerm with a Keyspan high speed serial to USB adapter (http://keyspan.com:16080/products/usb/USA19W/) for out of band management of Cisco gear all the time. Works like a champ.

--Evan

ashkewoof · 05-20-2003, 11:59 AM

Thanks to all who replied with help. I will try the Keyspan adapter. Best wishes to you all.

Sincerely,
Michael/Ashkewoof

05-14-2003, 02:42 PM	#1
ashkewoof Prospect Join Date: May 2003 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 3	Cisco Router Via My Mac Laptop I have been searching for a way to use my Apple laptop to connect directly to a Cisco router so that I may configure the router. Currently, I have to use my Windows laptop (yuck) with a serial port connector and their native terminal program. I would love to be able to use my Apple with a console cable and even a crossover to bring up the CLI from the Cisco router and configure it via a terminal emulator on my Mac. Is anyone else doing this and is it possible to use a Mac to configure a Cisco router? This one last hurdle and I do not have to use a Windows box again in my work. Thanks in advance. Michael/Ashkewoof

05-14-2003, 03:40 PM	#2
hschickel All Star Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NY, NY Posts: 776	Keyspan "High Speed" USB Serial Adapter Z-Term Lots of routers and switches that are configured via serial cables can be set to use the less secure telnet to configure them but you'll still need a serial connection for the first run. I've found that the above works beautifully. Hugh __________________ First they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.

05-14-2003, 04:57 PM	#3
tlarkin League Commissioner Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 11,352	Can you not telnet to your router via web browser? Also I have a cisco 670 (I think thats the model) DSL router. It came with cisco commander software that allows you to configure it. Possibly you could use similar software for this? My router does hook up via serial, but the software I believe went through over the ethernet connection. __________________ sudo make me a sammich

05-14-2003, 05:36 PM	#4
ashkewoof Prospect Join Date: May 2003 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 3	Yes & No Thank you for your thoughts and response. :-) Yes, I can do all the config via telnet and have. What I am facing however is those times when I have to config a router out of the box or after a password recovery and other such events. For these and other reasons, you have to have a direct physical connection to the router/PIX/Switch it's self. Apple has not responded to my repeated inquiries into this subject and I feel it is an important issue if Apple wants to be taken seriously as a network platform in addition to it's desk top offerings. Mostly, I just hate having to resort to the old Windows laptop when I have to do these things. I would rather just have one laptop to do my job and I would like it to be a Mac. Thanks again for your thoughts and help thus far. Michael/Ashkewoof

05-20-2003, 09:19 AM	#5
sighup9 Triple-A Player Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Potomac, MD Posts: 86	Re: Yes & No [QUOTE]Originally posted by ashkewoof Thank you for your thoughts and response. :-) Yes, I can do all the config via telnet and have. What I am facing however is those times when I have to config a router out of the box or after a password recovery and other such events. For these and other reasons, you have to have a direct physical connection to the router/PIX/Switch it's self. Greettings, I use zTerm with a Keyspan high speed serial to USB adapter (http://keyspan.com:16080/products/usb/USA19W/) for out of band management of Cisco gear all the time. Works like a champ. --Evan

05-20-2003, 11:59 AM	#6
ashkewoof Prospect Join Date: May 2003 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 3	Thanks Thanks to all who replied with help. I will try the Keyspan adapter. Best wishes to you all. Sincerely, Michael/Ashkewoof __________________ Compassion is a viable path to choose when justice is pursued. Michael/Ashkewoof