Basic Cisco Router Configuration Guide

1️⃣ Accessing the Router

1. Connect via console cable to PC or use SSH if already configured.
2. Use terminal software (e.g., PuTTY, Tera Term).
3. Power on the router. You should see:

Router>

2️⃣ Enter Privileged EXEC Mode

Router> enable

Router#

• enable lets you access commands to configure the router.

3️⃣ Enter Global Configuration Mode

Router# configure terminal

Router(config)#

• This mode allows you to configure interfaces, routing, passwords, etc.

4️⃣ Set Hostname

Router(config)# hostname R1

R1(config)#

• Changes router prompt for easier identification.

5️⃣ Configure Passwords

Console Password

R1(config)# line console 0

R1(config-line)# password cisco123

R1(config-line)# login

R1(config-line)# exit

Enable Secret Password

R1(config)# enable secret admin123

VTY (Telnet/SSH) Password

R1(config)# line vty 0 4

R1(config-line)# password vtypass

R1(config-line)# login

R1(config-line)# exit

6️⃣ Configure Interfaces (IP Addressing)

Example: Assign IP to GigabitEthernet 0/0

R1(config)# interface g0/0

R1(config-if)# ip address 192.168.1.1 255.255.255.0

R1(config-if)# no shutdown

R1(config-if)# exit

• no shutdown activates the interface.
• Repeat for all required interfaces.

7️⃣ Configure a Default Route (Static Routing)

R1(config)# ip route 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 192.168.1.254

• Sends all unknown traffic to next-hop router.

8️⃣ Verify Configuration

• Check IP addresses:

show ip interface brief

• Check routing table:

show ip route

• Ping another device:

ping 192.168.1.2

9️⃣ Save Configuration

R1# copy running-config startup-config

• Saves your configuration permanently so it persists after reboot.

🔹 Optional: Enable SSH (Remote Management)

R1(config)# ip domain-name example.com

R1(config)# crypto key generate rsa

R1(config)# username admin privilege 15 secret Cisco123

R1(config)# line vty 0 4

R1(config-line)# login local

R1(config-line)# transport input ssh

R1(config-line)# exit