Cisco routers are one of the most renowned and reputed routing devices that is used by a number of people across the globe. These routers offer flexible features that serve various purposes. It is best suited for both personal and professional work. This is the reason why it is the most preferred choice among users. If you want your router to run smoothly, at first it is essential to configure it correctly. In case your router is not configured appropriately, it might develop certain errors that can damage the entire routing device. Therefore, if you are unaware of how to configure a Cisco router, take guidance from this article. Here, we are going to provide all the effective procedures that will help you to configure the router successfully.
How To Configure A Cisco Router Step By Step
You can configure your router successfully with a few simple steps. In case, you are not aware of the technicalities of the router, it is better not tamper with the settings as it might cause severe damage. Instead, you can follow the easy steps that are given below:
1. Connect the router with the Pc and start a terminal emulation program
At first, connect your PC with the router using the console cable and then fire up the program of terminal emulation. In order to get privileged EXEC mode, start with the command by enabling it. Now, enter the command. In order to get a blank configuration, erase the startup-config. Now, reboot your router and then load the command. Ensure, say no to an IOS when prompted and enter the initial configuration process.
2. Identify the router’s interface
In order to configure your router successfully, it is essential to know about the router’s interface. Therefore, to know the interface at first take a look at the back of the router and then identify that the ethernet ports that you are going to use. The cable modem will connect with your WAN device whereas the other will be connected to your LAN. Then, you will notice a fast 4 ethernets which are the WAN interface. In case, your router interface is not labeled then type the command- “Show IP interface brief” This will help to find the names from privileged EXEC.
3. Configure IP address
This is the step where the actual set up begins, ensure that you are in the privileged EXEC mode where you have to enter configure terminal and type the command no “IP domain lookup”. This will prevent the IOS from rectifying the spelling mistakes that you might make into your domain names. After completing the above steps, you are ready for setting up an IP address for the LAN interface.
4. Set up access lists
In this step, you have to configure two access list. Both the lists are required to be applied in the inbound direction.
5. Secure the privileged EXEC mode with the password
Not only the access lines but also the privileged EXEC mode is required to be secured with a password. There are two commands that you can use for configuring the password one is Switch(config)# enable password Privilege_EXEC_password and the other is Switch(config)# enable secret Privilege_EXEC_password.
6. Configure Clock time zone
Configuring the router will allow us to configure the time zone. Type the command “Router(config)#clock timezone EST 05” which will set your time to +5 hour of EST.
7. Assign a Hostname to IP address
It is essential to assign a hostname as it is easy to remember a name instead of an address. This effectively helps in connecting with the remote address.
All the above steps are proven and effective. Therefore, you can easily apply them to configure your router successfully. In case you are facing any trouble or confusion please do post your comments below.