Communicate Router with Auxiliary, Telnet, SSH, HTTP Connections
How to communicate with a Router using Console, Auxiliary, Telnet, SSH, HTTP and HTTPS connections
There are various ports like Console, Auxiliary on the routers and protocols like telnet, SSH, HTTP etc. Ports provide the direct communication link to the router and help to configure a router
Router manages the traffic over the network and delivers the packets to appropriate destinations. Routers forwards the packets to the destination based on various protocols and also security that has been implied.
Unlike computers, routers do not have input devices like keyboard, mouse etc and output devices like monitor etc. Then how can one access or communicate routers and say the router to follow particular protocols, set security and troubleshoot errors if any?
There are various ports like Console, Auxiliary on the routers and protocols like telnet, SSH, HTTP etc. Ports provide the direct communication link to the router and help to configure a router with the help of a personal computer. Protocols like telnet, SSH, HTTP communicates with the router from a remote location with the help of IP address assigned to the router.
Communication Using Console Port:
Console port looks similar to that of an Ethernet port or LAN port on your computer. It transfers data serially in asynchronous mode. It provides direct access to the administrator to login directly into a router and do initial configuration of a router. The console port is also known as Management port. Connecting with the help of console port gives you root (administrator in terms of windows) access over a router. Emulator software’s like HyperTerminal, putty etc helps an administrator to connect to a router through PC.
Communication using Auxiliary Port:
Auxiliary port helps us to connect an external modem to the router. On configuring, this modem helps an administrator to have on demand dial connection from the remote location. The administrator can log in as root from a remote location with the help of Auxiliary port.
Communication using Telnet, SSH, HTTP or HTTPS:
Console and Auxiliary ports on router provide non-network communication with the router. It is not recommended to use root privilege over the network because of security issues. Hence, when an administrator wants to make configurations on a router over the network, protocols like telnet, SSH, HTTP will be of great use.
These protocols provide access to Command Line Interface of the router over the network. Telnet transfers data in plain text. Hence, telnet is used over LAN’s or private networks. Telnet uses port number 23 to communicate with the devices over the network.
SSH stands for Secure Shell. As the name indicates SSH provides security by encrypting data. As it data is encrypted, we can use SSH in public networks like the internet.
HTTP or HTTPS is web based application protocol. This protocol helps administrator to access router in Graphical User Interface
Read more
- How to use Putty Terminal Emulator on a Cisco Router or Switch
- How to use HyperTerminal Terminal Emulator on a Cisco Router or Switch
- Connect to Router or Switch Console
- Console Connection of a Router