Cisco routers and Cisco switches have many similarities. They support a similar modal operating system, support similar command structures, and support many of the same commands. In addition, both devices have identical initial configuration steps when implementing them in a network.
Similar to configuring a switch, the following steps should be completed when configuring initial settings on a router:
1. Assign a device name using the hostname global configuration command. (Figure 1)
2. Set passwords. (Figure 2)
- Secure privileged EXEC mode access using the enable secret command.
- Secure EXEC mode access using the login command on the console port, and the password command to set the password.
- Secure virtual access similar to securing EXEC access mode, except on the Virtual Teletype (VTY) port.
- Use the service password-encryption global configuration command to prevent passwords from displaying as plain text in the configuration file.
3. Provide legal notification using the banner motd (message of the day [MOTD]) global configuration command. (Figure 3)
4. Save the configuration using the copy run start command. (Figure 4)
5. Verify the configuration using the show run command.
Figure 5 is a syntax checker that allows you to practice these configuration steps.