cisco 2950 switch

[marquee]

i have a cisco 2950 switch to play with. i'm trying to get into the CLI for the first time. does anyone have any experience with this? i'm trying to connect to the console port in the switch using a rollover cable, connecting to a RJ45-DB9 adapter, and plugging it into a com port on my PC. then trying to use hyperterminal to talk to the switch. i havent been able to get it to work, anyone have any insight as to what i'm doing wrong?

 

[RhythmAddict]

It sounds like you're doing everything right...I assume you're using the com with hyperterminal as well right? Try a diff cable if you have access to it?? switch comm ports?? i wish i could give you more insight on this one - good luck

 

[spidey07]

try booting the switch to see if you get any text. Your com port should be 9600 8N1.

A rollover cable is correct but did you get the RJ45-DB9 adapter from cisco or is it something different (some are pinned differently)? Try using a regular straight thru cable.

 

[marquee]

i found the adapter lying around in the lab, that might be the problem if it were pinned incorrectly.

the front of the switch has a mode button that toggles between stat, util, duplx, and speed. can someone explain what those mean?

also, i'm kinda new to this, heh, how do i figure out which com port i'm plugged into (COM1, COM2, etc?)

(i know it should be 9600bps, 8 data bits, no parity, 1 stop bit, and no flow control, i looked that up on the cisco site )

 

[spidey07]

generally your serial port is com1, but try them all.

make sure you hit enter a few times and you should get a prompt or a password prompt

 

[ScottMac]

Check for a PDA manager application using COMx.

Make sure HyperTerm is set for the right COM port.

Dump HyperTerm, especially if it's on Windows 9x.

Make sure your COM ports are configuraed in BIOS.

FWIW

Scott

 

[HKSturboKID]

also...most importantly, if you got this from someone, ask them if they disable the console port. I seen people do that for safety reasons since the router/switch has an IP set which allows them to telnet into the router already.