Cisco Networking Lab 1 - Router Basic Configuration

We have learned how to install GNS3 in the previous article and today we are going do a Cisco Lab. In this article, we are configuring a cisco router.
Cisco Router – Initial Configuration

Objectives

Configure the Router Host Name.

Configure the Passwords

Configure the Banner Messages / Message of the Day MOTD

Verify the configuration
Device Configurations - R1, R2,

I have placed 2 Router, 2 Switch and 2 PC in the GNS3 workspace and connected each other with suitable cables.

Configure Router- R1

Step 1: Configure the router hostname

R1>en

R1#config t

R1(config)# hostname The_WanTricks_R1

Step 2: Configure the privileged mode and secret passwords

The_WanTricks_R1#config t

The_WanTricks_R1(config)#enable password thewantricks

Configure encrypted privilege password as twt987

The_WanTricks_R1(config)#enable secret twt987

Step 3: Configure the console password

The_WanTricks_R1(config)#line console 0

Enable the password ‘twt987’ require at login time

The_WanTricks_R1(config-line)#password twt987

The_WanTricks_R1(config-line)#login

The_WanTricks_R1(config-line)#exit

The_WanTricks_R1(config)#

Step 4: Configure the vty password to allow Telnet access to the router

The_WanTricks_R1(config)#line vty 0 4

The_WanTricks_R1(config-line)#password twt1234

The_WanTricks_R1(config-line)#login

The_WanTricks_R1(config)#

Step 5: Set password encryption, MOTD banner

We have configured two passwords above but it storing as only in clear text format, so others can read the passwords when use ‘show running-config’ command, but if encrypt the passwords with other formats then the security risk can avoid easily.

Password Encryption

The_WanTricks_R1(config)#service password-encryption

Use the ‘show running-config’ command again and verify the encryption status

Setup MOTD banner message

The banner is mainly used as a warning to the unauthorized person who are trying to access the device.

The_WanTricks_R1(config)#  banner motd $This device is managed by www.thewantricks.com$

To verify the MOTD banner, Log out of the router by typing the exit command twice, then log in again by typing enable command.

Topic Conclusion

We have configured the router with basic commands. These are the initial configuration and will post advanced sections in the coming articles.