Section 3

Passwords

Securtiy is essential on a computer network in order to ensure privacy and security of equipment and data. Passwords must be put in place as a barrier between an unauthorized user (i.e. such as a Cracker) and your router configuration. This makes Passwords extremely important to any router configuration because a good deal of network traffic (data that you might want to be secure) goes through a router en route to its destination.

The Enable Password

  1. Enter Priviledged Mode using enable
  2. Enter Global Configuration mode config t command.
  3. Use enable secret xxx, where xxx is your Enable Password.

The Enable Secret Password is now set. Make sure that you remember this password! Otherwise, you will have to go through a long password recovery process. The enable password is encrypted into the router configuration and cannot be viewed using the show running-config.

Remote Access Passwords

You can assign passwords to restrict access via telnet and the console port on the router. Once again these passwords are for network security reasons and are very important. The Console Port consists of a terminal using a terminal emulation program. When the program attempts to connect to the router the router will prompt for the Console Line Password in order to enter User Mode. The vty 0 4 is in charge of all remote access of the router via telnet. If you attempte to telnet a router where the password is configured. It will prompt the user for a password before entering User Mode.

Console Port Password

  1. Enter Enable and Global Configuration Mode.
  2. You must configure each line individualy. So, do this by using the line console 0 command.
  3. While in this configuration mode, you must enable login capabilities by using the login command
  4. Set the password using the password xxx command, where xxx is your desired password.
  5. Use exit command to return to Global Configuration Mode

Telnet Password

  1. You should already be in Global Configuration Mode
  2. Use the line vty 0 4 command to configure the telnet line.
  3. Enable login by using login
  4. Use the Password xxx command to set the password

    5. Now that the passwords are done, it is now time to get into the actual configurations that make the router determine paths and switch packets. The next section deals with configuring the many interfaces that the router uses to direct network traffic

Previous Next