Fortinet 548B 4. Console and Telnet Administration Interface

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4. Console and Telnet Administration Interface

This chapter discusses many of the features used to manage the Switch, and explains many concepts

and important points rega rding these features. Configuring the Switch to implement these concepts is

discussed in detail in chapter 6.

Local console management involves the administration of the Switch via a direct connection to the

RS-232 DCE console port. This is an Out-of-band con nection, meaning that it is on a different circuit than

normal network communications, and thus works even when the network is down.

The local console manage ment connection involves a terminal or PC running terminal emulation software

to operate the Switch’s built-in consol e program (see Chapter 6). Using the console program, a network

administrator can manage, control, and monitor ma ny functions of the Switch. Hard ware components in

the Switch allow it to be an active part of a manageable netwo rk. These components include a CPU,

memory for data storage, o ther related hardware, and SNMP age nt firmware. Activities on the Switch can

be monitored with these components, while the Switch can be manipulated to ca rry out specific tasks.

Out-of-band management requires connecting a terminal, such as a VT-100 o r a PC running a

terminal-emulation program (such as HyperTerminal, which is automatically installed with Microsoft

Windows) to the RS-232 DCE console port of the Switch. Switch management using the RS-232 DCE

console port is called Local Console Management to differentiate it from management done via

management platforms, such as DView or HP OpenView.

Make sure the terminal or PC you are using to make this connection is configured to match these settings.

If you are having problems making this connection on a PC, make sure the emulation is set to VT-100 or

ANSI. If you still don’t see anything, try pressing <Ctrl> + r to refresh the screen.

First-time configuration m ust be carri ed out through a console, that is, either (a) a VT100-type serial data

terminal, or (b) a computer ru nning com munication s software set to emulate a V T100. Th e co nsol e mu st

be connected to the Diagnostics po rt. This is an RS-232 port with a 9-socket D-shell connector and

DCE-type wiring. Make the con nection as follows:

1. Obtain suitable cabling for the conne ction.You can use a null-modem RS-232 cable or an

ordinary RS-232 cable and a null-modem adapter. One end of the cable (o r cable/adapter

combination) must have a 9-pin D-shell connector suitable for the Diagnostics p ort; the other end

must have a connector suitable for the console’s serial communications port.

2. Power down the devices, attach the cable (or cabl e/adapter combination) to the correct ports, and

restore power.

3. Set the console to use the following communication parameters for your terminal: