Brand New To This: Using a Cisco 2514 Router with a cable modem

[gramzster]

Hello Everyone,
I am fairly new to cisco routers (I'm only 16), but I have had tremendous experience with TCP/IP and Networks. I am currently taking a CCNA (Cisco-Certified) course. And we'll soon be working with the routers.
My Question is, I am considering purchasing a Cisco 2514 router to assist me with the labs, and eventually use for my network. Now I have no experience with the routers, and my question is How would I connect this router (and set up) for my cable connection (All the cable connection requires is a hostname to be entered into the router)? And is there any way that I could make any incoming requests coming from the internet be directed to a certain Internal IP Address, and still have the computers on the internal network access the internet?
Thanks,
Graham.

 

[wybnormal]

Hey Grahm.. a couple of things.. be careful in tossing around words like "termendous" and TCP/Networks.. I know a few old farts around that could make you really hate life regarding networks and experience..

So you know a few things about TCP.. good.. the CCNA will be handy so thats a good start.

For some info on configuring the 2514 to work on the cable connection a few things need to be kept in mind.. get a firewall.. something like a used/new Webramp from Ebay at less then a 100 bucks is a great investment.. if you have more money.. then the PIX 501 from cisco is an awsome little box and is going for 400 bucks with free shipping.

To config the 2514, you need just a simple config to allow routing between either the Firewall or public IP and your private network.. at the least you will need to enable NAT (or more properly PAT..port address translation) and slice your IP into the private range. Somewhere around here I had a config for it.. I need to dig around for it. Or just hit Cisco's site for sample configs.

MikeS
Find me at

http://www.packetattack.com

"The trouble with giving up civil rights is that you never get them back"

 

[l3stuff]

splitting hairs.. PAT is right on the money (also known as NAT Overload) as for routing, a simple static default is all you need..

pah

 

[gramzster]

Thanks,
I'll keep that in mind, and also I'll watch overexaggerating words I use next time ;-)
Graham

 

[KSM]

To use 2514 in home cable network, you need to consider a few things.
1. router need to have static ip and if you are residential cable internet customer, chances are you have to use dhcp client. Host name has to be their assigned name( sometime it is case sensitive)
2. In security point of view, cisco router can do the packet filter with access list. But they are not strong as stateful firewall.
So if you want to buy 2514 from ebay, go ahead for your learning. But to use as gateway in home network, take a look at

http://www.freesco.org

for inexpensive linux base box setup. (well if you like working with linux).

 

[PixPocket]

Hey MikeS - I have a 2514 and a PIX 501 that I wish to use with my Cable Modem and to study. How would you suggest architecting the two devices? I assume the 501 sitting on the internet and the 2514 between the 501 and my LAN switch? Would you mind offering your .02 as it may be useful for others as well. Also, any tips on the config for the 501 (until I learn more about the PIX) - Thanks!!

 

[wybnormal]

In regards to the post about needing a static IP.. not so with the newest 12.0.5(T) codes if I remember the number right. It will act as a DHCP client just fine. You can look it up at Cisco's web site instead of trusting my old and somewhat faulty memory cells. ;-)

Regarding the pix and 2514..

internet---PIX--HUB--2514--LAN

Note the hub.. makes for a cheap DMZ zone to play with..

Mine is a bit different then some..

internet---cablerouter---webramp--hub--2514
|
|---PIX---testlan

This allows me to keep the test lan seperate from the production LAN I have here. This way if I make a mistake on the PIX, I dont hear about it from my better half who also consults.

The 501 has a handy Java based front end to work with the various settings. It also has the CLI that we all know and love but it's not quite the same as a router IOS.

Cisco has alot of good stuff about the pix on their site. I have some PIX links at my site..

http://www.packetattack.com

and here is one that is useful

http://www.cisco.com/warp/public/110/pixfaq.shtml

MikeS


MikeS
Find me at

http://www.packetattack.com

"The trouble with giving up civil rights is that you never get them back"

 

[kcbell]

2514 will give you a good learning tools that you don't get with a SOHO router like LinkSys. Using it as a router with cable modem you need to update the IOS to 12.1x. The outside port needs to be configured with "ip address dhcp". The rest is NAT(PAT) command. It is good to use it to learn packet filtering and screen router programming, tftp, syslog and many other commands. I won't trust it as a firewall. If you get it from ebay, make sure you get the aui to rj45 converters. As far as I know, it has two aui ports but not rj45.

kcbell