It is well said that whenever you work with a device then only you come across knowing it deeply. Until you are not well versed with a networking device, you can never know its benefits and the troubles. Talking about the Cisco routers, they are smart and intelligent devices which leads to greater flexibility. So if you have got a Cisco router and you want to set it up then you must follow the steps given in this article or avail the guidance of experts available at Cisco customer service that stays accessible 24 hours of the day.

Requirements for the setup –

• A Cisco router with at least two Ethernet interfaces
• Your router must have IOS 12.2 or later
• You will also need a Cisco console cable
• A computer with a DB9 serial port

Steps for setting up a Cisco router

Step 1: Connect your router to the PC and start a terminal emulation program

First of all, connect your router to the PC with a console cable and turn on your terminal emulation program. Start with the command enable to get into privileged EXEC mode then erase startup configuration. Restart the router with reloaded command.

Step 2: Identify the interfaces of the router

See at the back of your router and identify the Ethernet ports. One will connect to your WAN and other to LAN.

Step 3: Configure IP Addresses

Now it is time to begin the actual setup. You must stay in privilege mode and start the terminal configuration by entering the command. Set the WAN interface to use DHCP to obtain its IP address.

Step 4: Setup access lists

You have to confirm two access lists, which will be applied in the inbound direction. The first line will set up the access list and places the router in access list configuration mode. The next line will allow any IP traffic matching the network to pass the interface.

Step 5: Configure basic TCP inspection

Ensure that the traffic which seems to be TCP, UDP or ICMP is original. Then enable the inspection and context-based access control.

Step 6: Apply the access lists and inspection rules

The next task is to apply both the access lists and the inspection rules to the proper interfaces in the inbound direction.

Step 7: Set up NAT

You will now have to set up NAT in order to translate addresses between the internal network and the public internet.

Step 8: Enable interfaces and disable STP

At this stage, you have to ensure that each interface is not in a shutdown state. You can now disconnect the console cable and connect the PC to a LAN port on the router with an Ethernet cable.

Step 9: Test your configuration

Just connect the cable to the WAN port of the router and try to get on the internet.

In case you find any trouble during the whole setup process then you must reach out to Cisco router support where the certified professionals will help you in setup.

Related Blog : How To Setup CISCO Wireless Router ?