Router

 Routers connect multiple networks together. They also connect

computers on those networks to the Internet. Routers enable all
networked computers to share a single Internet connection, which saves
money.
 A router acts a dispatcher. It analyzes data being sent across a network,
chooses the best route for data to travel, and sends it on its way.
 Routers connect your business to the world, protect information from
security threats, and can even decide which computers receive priority
over others.
 Beyond those basic networking functions, routers come with additional
features to make networking easier or more secure. Depending on your
needs, for example, you can choose a router with a firewall, a virtual
private network (VPN), or an Internet Protocol (IP) communications
system.

Presentation_ID © 2008 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Confidential 1
 Router

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 Connect Devices
Console Access
 Console access requires:
Console cable – RJ-45-to-DB-9 console cable
Terminal emulation software – Tera Term, PuTTY,
HyperTerminal

Presentation_ID © 2008 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Confidential 3
Anatomy of a Router
Inside a Router

WAN WAN
PWR

NVRAM

RAM CPU

FAN

Presentation_ID © 2008 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Confidential 4
Anatomy of a Router
Router Memory

Volatile /
Memory Stores
Non-Volatile
• Running IOS
• Running configuration file
RAM Volatile
• IP routing and ARP tables
• Packet buffer

• Bootup instructions POST

ROM Non-Volatile
• Limited IOS ROM

NVRAM Non-Volatile • Startup configuration file

Flash Non-Volatile • IOS

Presentation_ID © 2008 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Confidential 5
Router Boot-up
Router Bootup Process

[Link] the POST

and load the
bootstrap program

[Link] and load the

Cisco IOS software

[Link] and load the

start-up configuration
file or enter setup
mode

System Bootstrap, Version 15.0(1r)M15, RELEASE SOFTWARE (fc1)

Technical Support: [Link]

<output omitted>

Presentation_ID © 2008 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Confidential 6
Anatomy of a Router
Router Backplane

Double-wide eHWIC slots -WAN eHWIC 0 AUX LAN

port interfaces

Console
RJ45 USB
Ports (FOR
Two 4 GB flash card slots Console STORAGE)
USB Type B

Presentation_ID © 2008 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Confidential 7
Anatomy of a Router
Connecting to a Router

WAN AUX LAN

Interface port interfaces

Console
RJ45

Console
USB Type B

Presentation_ID © 2008 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Confidential 8
Anatomy of a Router
LAN and WAN Interfaces

Serial interfaces

LAN interfaces

Presentation_ID © 2008 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Confidential 9
 Functions of a Router
Why Routing?
 The router is responsible for the routing of traffic
between networks.

Presentation_ID © 2008 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Confidential 10
 Functions of a Router
Routers Choose Best Paths
 Determine the best path to send packets
Uses its routing table to determine path
 Forward packets toward their destination
Forwards packet to interface indicated in routing table.
Encapsulates the packet and forwards out toward destination.
 
 Routers use static routes and dynamic routing
protocols to learn about remote networks and build
their routing tables.

Presentation_ID © 2008 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Confidential 11
 Packet Forwarding Methods

 Process switching –
An older packet
forwarding mechanism
still available for Cisco
routers.

Presentation_ID © 2008 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Confidential 12
 Packet Forwarding Methods

 Cisco Express
Forwarding (CEF) –
The most recent,
fastest, and preferred
Cisco IOS packet-
forwarding mechanism.
  Table entries are not
packet-triggered like
fast switching but
change-triggered

Presentation_ID © 2008 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Confidential 13
 Connect Devices
Connect to a Network

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 Connect Devices
Default Gateways
To enable network access
devices must be configured
with the following IP address
information
IP address - Identifies
a unique host on a
local network.
Subnet mask -
Identifies the host’s
network subnet.
Default gateway -
Identifies the router a
packet is sent to to
when the destination
is not on the same
local network subnet.

Presentation_ID © 2008 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Confidential 15
 Connect Devices
Document Network Addressing
Network Documentation should include at least the following in a
topology diagram and addressing table:
 Device names
 Interfaces
 IP addresses and
subnet mask
 Default gateways

Presentation_ID © 2008 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Confidential 16
 Connect Devices
Enable IP on a Host
 Statically Assigned IP address – host is manually
assigned the IP address, subnet mask and default
gateway. DNS server IP address can also be
assigned.
Used to identify specific network resources such as network
servers and printers
Can be used in very small networks with few hosts.
 Dynamically Assigned IP Address – IP Address
information is dynamically assigned by a server using
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)
Most hosts acquire their IP address information through
DHCP
DHCP services can be provided by Cisco routers

Presentation_ID © 2008 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Confidential 17
 Switching Packets between Networks
Send a Packet

Presentation_ID © 2008 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Confidential 18