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Preparing for First-Time Startup

Preparing for First-Time Startup

This chapter provides the information you need to prepare for first-time startup. Read it before you power up your system.

Preparing for first-time startup is highly recommended to take advantage of the full range of configurability available on Cisco communication servers. Note that you are not required to plan your network before sitting at the console and using the setup command facility for the first time, but connecting to the console port is required. By separating the planning tasks from the configuration tasks, you can tailor the communication server to meet your needs and to fit within a consistent scheme.


Note A graphical representation of a setup command facility session has been provided in Appendix A.

This chapter describes the following tasks:

The values on these worksheets map to the configuration process of the setup command which is automatically invoked at first-time startup. You will specify global, or system-wide configuration information and information about the individual interface. You will use the values you have filled in on the Communication Server Configuration Worksheet. Blank configuration worksheets have been provided in Appendix B for your convenience.

In the following descriptions of the parameters that you will determine, the factory default is marked with the Default: label.

Filling in the Communication Server Configuration Worksheet

The Communication Server Configuration Worksheet, if properly filled out, will contain all the values you need to enter at the System Configuration Dialog of the setup command facility. Remember, the setup command facility is automatically invoked at first-time startup. You want all your preparations to be complete so that you can get your system up and running quickly and uneventfully.

The Communication Server Configuration Worksheet can assist you in gathering and maintaining information about your system. Three levels of information are listed on the Communication Server Configuration Worksheet:

System hardware information is not requested at first-time startup, but is useful to note on the Communication Server Configuration Worksheet to complete your records. Global and interface parameters, however, are requested at first-time startup.

In the following parameter descriptions, the action you need to take to fill in the worksheet is marked with the Action: label.

The Communication Server Configuration Worksheet is shown on the next page. Retrieve the blank Communication Server Configuration Worksheet provided in Appendix B before continuing. Use it as you proceed through the descriptions to record your information.

Communication Server Configuration Worksheet



Determining System Hardware Information

This section contains information that helps you record the system hardware information in the "System Hardware Information" portion of Communication Server Configuration Worksheet. This information is not requested at first-time startup.

System Type

Cisco offers several communication servers designed to accommodate a wide variety needs. Customers can choose from single-board CS-508 or CS-516 or the card-based ASM-CS chassis. The communication server models available are as follows:

Each of these systems provide protocol translation and routing capability.


Note For ASM-CS chassis, configurations are installed at the factory according to customer specifications. If you have an existing ASM-CS system and want to change the factory preconfigurations, you will need to order the card, separately, and consult the configuration notes accompanying the new component for installation instructions.

Default: None

Action: Circle your system type from those listed on the Communication Server Configuration Worksheet.

System Serial Number

Each system has a serial number placed on the back or bottom panel. This information may be useful in tracking your physical inventory.

Default: None

Action: Note your system serial number on the worksheet.

Number of Asynchronous Lines

The number of interfaces depends on the type of system you have If you are installing a new system, it will be preconfigured at the factory; this means the number of asynchronous are determined when you order the system. If you have a 500-CS you can have 8 or 16 asynchronous terminal lines. If you have an ASM you can have 16 to 112 asynchronous lines (in increments of 16).

Check the back of your communication server to determine the number asynchronous lines.

Default: None

Action: Note the number of interfaces on the Communication Server Configuration Worksheet.

Determining Global Parameters

This section contains information about each global parameter that is configurable through the setup command facility. Use this information to complete the "Global Parameters" portion of the Communication Server Configuration Worksheet and at first-time startup.

Host Name

The host name is the name of the host computer of the communication server. The name you specify is used in the system prompts and can contain 1 to 80 uppercase and lowercase alphanumeric characters. The host name is case sensitive.

Try to use names that will help you identify the location of the communication server, or to whom it is providing services. If you will be naming more than one host within your network, try to devise a consistent naming scheme so that host identification is easy.

Default: CS

Action: Note the host name in the Communication Server Configuration Worksheet the way you want it to appear in the system prompts.

Enable Password

Your system has two levels of security: user and privileged. The commands available at the user level are a subset of those available at the privileged level. Because many of the privileged commands are used to set operating parameters, these should be password-protected to prevent unauthorized use.

The enable password allows a user access to the privileged command level. There is no default enable password. However, the enable password you set during first-time startup will display as the default the next time you run the setup command facility.

An enable password can contain 1 to 80 uppercase and lowercase alphanumeric characters; a number cannot be the first character. Spaces are also valid password characters; for example, "two words" is a valid password.

For more information about the enable password, refer to the Chapter 4 of the Communication Server Configuration and Reference publication.

Default: None

Action: Note the enable password on the Communication Server Configuration Worksheet.

Virtual Terminal Password

In addition to the enable password, each virtual terminal line can also have an individual password. Virtual terminals require a password. If you do not set a password, the system will respond to attempted connections by displaying an error message and closing the connection. (Virtual terminals are used when you access the communication server remotely via the network.)

A virtual terminal password can contain from 1 to 80 uppercase and lowercase alphanumeric characters; a number cannot be the first character. Spaces are also valid password characters; for example, "two words" is a valid password. The virtual terminal password is case sensitive. There is no default virtual terminal password. However, the virtual terminal password you set during first-time startup will display as the default the next time you run the setup command facility.

If desired, you can allow line connections without a password. Refer to Chapter 4 of the Communication Server Configuration and Reference publication for more information.

Default: None

Action: Note the virtual terminal password on the Communication Server Configuration Worksheet.

SNMP

The Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) is the most widely supported open standard for network management. It provides a means to access and set configuration and run-time parameters of routers and communication servers. SNMP defines a set of functions that may be used to monitor and control network elements.

SNMP is configured on a global basis only; it cannot be specified for individual interfaces.

Default: No

Action: Circle Yes on the Communication Server Configuration Worksheet if you want to configure SNMP on a system-wide basis. At first-time startup this value configures read-only SNMP with a blank password. If you do not want to run SNMP on your system, circle No.

XRemote Font Server

Cisco supports the Network Computing Device, Inc. XRemote feature on all communication servers and protocol translators. When fonts used by X applications are not included in ROM on the NCD terminal, one or more font servers must be identified from which the communication server and the NCD terminal can obtain fonts from other than ROM. You can identify as many XRemote font servers as you need; it is unlikely that you will ever reach the maximum number that the software allows you to identify.

Default: No

Action: Circle Yes on the Communication Server Configuration Worksheet if you want to configure one or more XRemote font servers. If you do not want to configure XRemote font servers on your system, circle No.

If you will be using one or more XRemote font servers, you must also provide an IP address for each XRemote font server. This step is equivalent to specifying the IP address of a font server using the xremote tftp host configuration command. However, you cannot specify an XRemote host name through the setup command facility because the name service facility is not yet running.

Indicate an IP addresses on the Communication Server Configuration Worksheet for XRemote font server as follows:

Internet addresses are 32-bit values assigned to hosts that use the IP protocols. These addresses are written in dotted decimal format (four decimal numbers separated by periods) such as 192.17.5.100. Each number is an eight-bit value between 0 and 255.
The addresses are divided into three classes; the classes differ in the number of bits allocated to the network and host portions of the address.
The Class A Internet address format allocates the highest eight bits to the network field and sets the highest-order bit to 0 (zero). The remaining 24 bits form the host field.
The Class B Internet address allocates the highest 16 bits to the network field and sets the two highest-order bits to 1, 0. The remaining 16 bits form the host field.
The Class C Internet address allocates the highest 24 bits to the network field and sets the three highest-order bits to 1,1,0. The remaining eight bits form the host field.
Default: None
Action: Enter your Internet address in dotted decimal form (for example, 131.108.2.5).
Table 2-1 provides a summary of subnetting parameters.

Summary of Subnetting Parameters
First Class First Byte Network Bits Host Bits
A 1-126 8 24
B 128-191 16 16
C 192-223 24 8

For more information about XRemote configuration and management information, refer to Chapter 15 of the Communication Server Configuration and Reference publication.

Determining Interface Parameters

This section contains information about each interface parameter that is configurable through the setup command facility for the installed network. Use this information to complete the "Interface Parameters" portion of the Communication Server Configuration Worksheet and at first-time startup.

Interface Name

The setup command facility automatically presents the installed network interface for you to configure. The interface is presented the same as installed in the chassis. For example, if you had an Ethernet interface, you would be prompted to configure interface Ethernet0.

Default: The default is based on the interface installed in the chassis.

Action: Write the interface name across the top of the Communication Server Configuration Worksheet in the row labeled "Interface Name."

Determine IP Information for an Interface

You must also provide the IP address and subnet mask bits for the installed interface. Indicate value on the Communication Server Configuration Worksheet as follows:

Internet addresses are 32-bit values assigned to hosts that use the IP protocols. These addresses are written in dotted decimal format (four decimal numbers separated by periods) such as 192.17.5.100. Each number is an eight-bit value between 0 and 255.
For more information about IP addresses, refer to the XRemote
discussion earlier in this chapter.
Default: None
Action: Enter your Internet address in dotted decimal form (for example, 131.108.2.5).
Subnetting is an extension of the Internet addressing scheme, which allows multiple, physical networks to exist within a single Class A, B, or C network.
The usual practice is to use a few of the leftmost bits in the host portion of the network address for a subnet field. The subnet mask controls whether or not subnetting is in effect on a network.
Internet addressing conventions allow either 24, 16, or 8 bits for a subnet mask, depending on whether your address is Class A, B, or C, respectively. However, because the last two of these bits must be available for host addresses, the setup command facility allows you to specify up to 22, 14, or 6 bits for your subnet mask.
Default: 0
Action: Subnet mask bits should be defined as a decimal number between 0 and 22, 0 and 14, or 0 and 6, depending on whether your network is Class A, B, or C, respectively. Do not specify 1 as the number of bits for the subnet field. Such a specification would provide either an all zeros or all ones subnet field, both of which are reserved by Internet conventions.
LAT for the interface

DEC's Local Area Transport (LAT) protocol is the protocol used most often to connect to DEC hosts. LAT is a DEC-proprietary protocol. Cisco uses LAT technology licensed from DEC.

The LAT protocol allows a user to establish a connection to a host then passes the user's keystrokes to the host. A user can establish a LAT connection through the communication server to a DEC host, simply by entering the host name.

LAT cannot be routed because DEC's LAT protocol includes its own transport protocol (Layer 4 of the OSI Reference model) which runs directly over Ethernet Layer 2 of the OSI Reference model) rather than a standard routing layer. LAT must be bridged to pass between different network segments. The communication server provides the option of transporting LAT in protocol translation mode. With communication servers, you can establish a configuration so that the communication server software will translate LAT to Telnet or X.25 for transmission over a WAN which can be translated back to LAT on the other end of the connection. You can configure this WAN to LAT translation to be transparent to the user. This configuration also avoids LAT time-out problems which are common in WAN bridged LAT. For more information about Cisco's implementation of LAT refer to the chapter entitled "LAT Configuration and Management" in the Communication Server Configuration and Reference publication.

Default: Yes

Action: Write Yes on the Communication Server Configuration Worksheet if you plan to use DEC's LAT on the interface. Write No if you do not want to use DEC's LAT on the interface.


Note If you configure DEC LAT for an interface, the DEC Maintenance Operation Protocol (MOP) is automatically configured as well. And if you do not configure DEC LAT for an interface, DEC MOP is not configured for that interface.

Connecting to the Console Port

Attach an RS-232 ASCII terminal to the system console port located at the rear of the communication server. Configure the terminal to operate at:


Note We recommend that you make network connections before first-time startup. Refer to the appropriate hardware installation and maintenance publication for details about cabling considerations and establishing electrical connections.

If you have filled out the worksheet and have connected to the console port, you are now ready for first-time startup. Turn to Chapter 3, "First-Time Startup."

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