Simple Router Questions???

[clubwife]

I'm in the process of studying for the CCNA. I've been studying the Cybex book and it has been very good. But I have a few "nit-picky" questions...

1. I understand that you can setup a password for accessing a router via the Auxiliary port, but when would you use the console? Or better yet... what is the difference??? I have only used the auxiliary port or telnetted into a router... I'm confused...

2. I assume that the flash memory where the IOS is stored and the NVRAM (startup-config) are different? Right??

Thanks in advance for the clarification!!!

Clubwife...

 

[rburke]

Ok, first, good luck in your studies... To answer your questions:

1. The Console port is used primary if yo are at the router itself. It does not have hardware flow control, which is fine when a PC is directly connected via the console cable (rollover). The Aux port is supposed to be used for remote access because it does have hardware flow control since it is supposed to be hookup to a modem or some other remote access device. Although it is possible to use the Aux the same as the Console port, it is standard practice to use the Console when you are directly connected to the router, and the Aux for remote access.

2. The flash memory is what holds your IOS, like you said, and the flash memory is either on a stick(like RAM), or on a PCMCIA card like in the 1600, 1700, and 7000 and up series routers. The NVRAM that holds your config is built onto the system board and is NOt upgradeable. You are stuck with whatever NVRAM you have for that particular series of routers.

Hope this helps, let me know....

Good luck in your studies.

Burke

 

[clubwife]

Thanks for the clarification! Slowly the puzzle is fitting together!!!

Clubwife