I’m confused as to why this is so difficult. Below is my post to the Cisco NetPro forum. I’m hoping they’ll be able to help eventually, but I thought I’d include it here for the record. I know a few Cisco schmartypantsh people whom might read this.

Hi all,

I am wondering if someone may be able to point out where I’m going wrong.

I want to be able to see/user the boot cycle/ROMMON mode of a 2811 router, remotely.

As I understand it, the only way to achieve this is with an analogue modem connected to the Console port.

I’m doing the testing here with a Cisco 2651 as it’s the only router I have available to me locally, though as most of the configuration is modem-side, I feel that it shouldn’t make much of a difference..

I’m using a Hayes External Serial modem, connected to the Console port with a Cisco-provided 25pin D -> RJ-45 roll-over.

However, after using this guide, I’ve not had any success. The basic principles appear the same as with a router, but when I dial in, the modems handshake and connect but HyperTerminal displays nothing. There is no output at all UNLESS I enable the ‘post-dial window’, and then I can control the console. My issue is that this is not a native console – there’s no xmodem support and I wouldn’t have a clue how to duplicate this work-around in another client (minicom or screen, for example.)

I’ve noticed that the S37=9 (listed in the guide as the setting for 9600kbps) is not a value that is saved in the current profile. Perhaps the Hayes set has been updated since the article was written. Does anyone know a better way to set this? I have found a way of forcing V.32, which is 9600, but .. is it correct?

Here is the current profile stored on the modem:

ACTIVE PROFILE:
B1 E1 L1 M1 N0 Q0 T V1 W2 X4 Y0 &C1 &D0 &G0 &J0 &K0 &Q5 &R1 &S0 &T5 &X0 &Y0
S00:001 S01:000 S02:043 S03:013 S04:010 S05:008 S06:002 S07:050 S08:002 S09:006
S10:014 S11:085 S12:050 S18:000 S25:005 S26:001 S36:007 S38:020 S46:138 S48:007
S95:000

(Note that I set ATE0 and ATQ1 when testing, but these were flipped for the purpose of viewing the config )

Here is the config from the router:

line con 0
exec-timeout 5 0
logging synchronous

I *think* this is a problem with the speed not detecting the speed of the console properly, but I’m not experienced enough with modems at this level. I’ve even consulted my CCNP2 book, only to find that it concentrated more upon the Aux port.

I can get modem -> Aux working, but that’s just not flexible enough (despite its advantages.)

If anyone can help, I’d be extremely grateful. If you require any more information, I’ll be happy to provide it!

Thanks,

Tom

If anyone has any insight into why HyperTerminal is behaving in such a fashion, I’d love to know.