Newbie with 2501 question 3

[RandallFlagg]

Hello All!

I'm a newbie to Cisco. I am working towards my CCNA.

To start building my learning lab I got an old 2501 in a trade (free, really) with a friend. The 2501 came with the Y2K-25D year 2000 upgrade kit, and the boot ROMs, and SIMMs have been installed.

However the routers IOS has not been upgraded to the Y2K kit provided 11.0(22) (image igs-in-l.110-22) IOS. It also looks like the router came with the original owner's production settings still in place. I don't know the passwords and can't get in.

The router boots with the new proms, and I can get in via the console. Can anyone point me to a how to reset the lost passwords and update the IOS? Should I skip 11.0? What version of IOS can this antique run? How do I obtain it?

Any help appreciated.

 

[vipergg]

Password recovery procedures are here .

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products...ducts_password_recovery09186a0080094795.shtml

As far as what you can run depends on how much memory the router has .If you have enough memory they had versions up to 12.3.X code for the 2501 but you have to have enough memory. You have me confused on the password thing , you say you don't have the passwords and cannot get in then you say you can get in via console . If you can get in via console then just issue the "write erase" command then reload the box and this will take it to defaults.

 

[CiscoGuy33]

RandallFlagg,

A 2501 with a max of 16 megs DRAM and 16 megs FLASH would be usefull as 1 of 3 routers needed for CCNA practice. You can get more DRAM or FLASH for this router on Ebay or I have delt with

http://www.anthonypanda.com

for these items. You will also need an adapter for the DB9 Ethernet port to connect to a switch and back-to-back DTE/DCE cables for connecting this 2501 to another router.

Since you are setting up a CCNA lab, you should read this post at Network World by Wendell Odom, CCIE and Cisco author, he discusses and answers many of your questions on all the different routers and switches that will work for you -

http://www.networkworld.com/community/node/24916

Read it and learn - it will help you setup a lab that will work and you will also understand what you want to look for.

As for IOSs you might find them on Ebay or in differnt Cisco forums or from others who have a 2501. Since it is software, it is like anything else - even thogh that router is end of life for Cisco, they do not give the IOS away - but try reading some posts in the Cisco certification forum here at Tek-Tips and you will find lots of sources

Good luck!

E.A. Broda
CCNA, CCDA, CCAI, Network +

 

[RandallFlagg]

Hey Guys,

Thanks for the info. With it I...

I reset the passwords last night.
Flashed the box to IOS 11.0.

I am looking into buying 16MB of Flash and 8MB of system memory.

I am perusing IOS versions on E-Bay.

I do need the DTE/DCE cables. Is it worth it to make your own? Or just buy them?

I am perusing Wencell's CCNA and CCNP suggestions.

Thanks for all the help.

-Randall.

 

[CiscoGuy33]

RandallFlagg,

You asked - "I do need the DTE/DCE cables. Is it worth it to make your own? Or just buy them?" just buy them, Anthony Panda has them or look on Ebay, however, you will need to know what router you are connecting them to, if you get a 26xxXM or 3640 router or any other with WIC slots, it will depend if you get a WIC-1T or WIC-2T.

As far as IOS, you might want to "Google" IOSHunter and see what you find Obviously on a 2501 this is for lab use only!!!

Good luck!


E.A. Broda
CCNA, CCDA, CCAI, Network +

 

[RandallFlagg]

Dear CiscoGuy33:

Thanks for the info.

You've been a great help. I wonder if you wear a cape and are a routing superhero...


-Randall.

 

[CiscoGuy33]

RandallFlagg,

Thanks, no I don't wear a cape but I have been teaching CCNA wantabes in a Cisco Network Academy since 1999!!!

I have also built 2 of my own labs over the past few years - very extensive labs; as well as setting up several labs for the school!

If you are working on your CCNA jump over to the Cisco Certification forum here at Tek-Tips, you will find lots of usefull infomation as you get your Cisco certs!!


E.A. Broda
CCNA, CCDA, CCAI, Network +

 

[burtsbees]

Gene---don't lie to the man about the cape---he seems new. I mean, I don't lie about the dresses and hosiery, now do I???
Randall---I have never met anyone who has been able to make one of those cables---the 3 foot ones and 6 foot ones are only a few bucks---like around $6 or$7 for the 6 footers.

Burt

 

[CiscoGuy33]

Burt,

You said "I don't lie about the dresses and hosiery, now do I???" you crack me up

I agree with Burt on the cables, buy them ready-made and already marked DTE at one end and DCE at the other - just make sure you know what you are connecting to, most are pretty standard unless you get some WIC-2Ts - then one end will be a mini "D" connector.

I like the short 3 ft cables, however in 1999 we bought the "real" Cisco "smart" cables (we have WIC-2Ts)at about $100 per pair, they are like 20 feet long with a connector in the middle, these are for production and not labs, they work beatifully - just lots of cable to get in the way!!! Look for the short ( 1ft, 3ft or 6ft) cables with DCE at one end and DTE at the other!!

Good luck!

E.A. Broda
CCNA, CCDA, CCAI, Network +