Cisco 851 nightmare

mmj_uk · 25 Jul 2006 at 17:12

so i've just received my funky new router, the one that was originally advertised as being a modem (but isn't), went to being available in 1-3days after ordering (took a week), then arrived today without a UK power adapter (which i went out and bought).

Soooooo.... everything is plugged in, I put the CD in and run the config tool but it just gets stuck on the loading control panel screen.

I have my modem plugged into the WAN port and PC in LAN port, i've tried power cycling the modem numerous times to no avail, please help.

mmj_uk · 25 Jul 2006 at 18:19

I've finally gotten there, for anyone finding this thread with the same problem it was because Java wasn't installed. :rolleyes:

tolien · 25 Jul 2006 at 19:58

Was about to suggest a Java issue.

The old versions (ie the original my 837 came with) used to need the MS Java VM.

FordPrefect · 25 Jul 2006 at 23:07

CLI is your friend

tolien · 25 Jul 2006 at 23:19

FordPrefect said:
CLI is your friend

This man speaketh the truth.

Curiosityx · 26 Jul 2006 at 00:51

I take it you were trying to use SDM? The client normally checks for Java when it loads..

But its in effect useless for configuring the box itself.

FishThrower · 26 Jul 2006 at 10:21

isnt a Cisco router a bit OTT for home use?

mmj_uk · 26 Jul 2006 at 10:31

FishThrower said:
isnt a Cisco router a bit OTT for home use?

Well i needed a new mouse and don't like making small orders

plus my linksys one had a tendancy to cut out occasionally if i tried to do too much at once and anyway now i have a nice firewall.

so are there any good guides to using the CLI?

Rich · 26 Jul 2006 at 10:43

I would send it back and get a Cisco router with a built in ADSL interface tbh.

tolien · 26 Jul 2006 at 12:12

Rich said:
I would send it back and get a Cisco router with a built in ADSL interface tbh.

You're assuming the OP has ADSL.

mmj_uk · 26 Jul 2006 at 12:17

I have broadband (blueyonder).

Ricochet J · 26 Jul 2006 at 13:16

mmj_uk said:
so are there any good guides to using the CLI?

You'll need to learn that stuff through practise. E-Labs and configuring routers will help but it can also be a MAJOR pain just doing simple things like renaming a router. Hence (CLI commands):

Router>enable
Router#config t
Router(config)#hostname OcUK
OcUK(config)#exit
OcUK>

Four lines just rename a router! :eek:

(And I think that's right! Been a long time since i've renamed things!

)

mmj_uk · 26 Jul 2006 at 13:31

ah ok, cheers eXSBass i might do a bit of research.

Curiosityx said:
I take it you were trying to use SDM? The client normally checks for Java when it loads..

But its in effect useless for configuring the box itself.

what exactly is wrong with SDM then?

I've had a quick look and it seems to be about 100 times more configurable than the CP that came with my Linksys router. :confused:

Rich · 26 Jul 2006 at 13:58

tolien said:
You're assuming the OP has ADSL.

"so i've just received my funky new router, the one that was originally advertised as being a modem (but isn't),"

Thats what threw me.

Rich · 26 Jul 2006 at 14:00

mmj_uk said:
ah ok, cheers eXSBass i might do a bit of research.

what exactly is wrong with SDM then?

I've had a quick look and it seems to be about 100 times more configurable than the CP that came with my Linksys router.

There is nothing at all wrong with SDM. The purists will tell you otherwise. I work with Cisco day in, day out and obviously use CLI, but for a beginner SDM is a good start.

I would definately work towards learning CLI though, its a very useful tool.

mmj_uk · 26 Jul 2006 at 15:04

Rich said:
"so i've just received my funky new router, the one that was originally advertised as being a modem (but isn't),"

Thats what threw me.

yeah see here about that:
http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=17600348&highlight=cisco+851

they originaly had it advertised as a Cable Modem/Router.

mmj_uk · 26 Jul 2006 at 15:05

Rich said:
I would definately work towards learning CLI though, its a very useful tool.

ok mate will do.

Just another query if i may, should i install SDM onto the PC or into the routers flash? or both? what do you recommend? any advantages/disadvantages?

tolien · 26 Jul 2006 at 15:53

Just the flash I would've thought.

It's not just "purists" that recommend not using the GUI - if you want to get beyond the tiny proportion of the feature set it exposes, you've got to use the CLI. SDM also has a nice tendency of mangling configs.
I'm not disagreeing that it's a good start though, but nothing more.

Ricochet J · 26 Jul 2006 at 18:12

tolien said:
Just the flash I would've thought.

It's not just "purists" that recommend not using the GUI - if you want to get beyond the tiny proportion of the feature set it exposes, you've got to use the CLI. SDM also has a nice tendency of mangling configs.
I'm not disagreeing that it's a good start though, but nothing more.

Tolien, a little off topic but what do you do for a living if you don't mind me asking?
Do you have a CCIE or something? You seem to know an awful lot about Cisco and you seem to know the CLI off by heart!

I have to refer back to the manual to just to add RIP statements! :eek:

bigredshark · 26 Jul 2006 at 18:40

It's very common for cisco guys to slate anything other than the CLI, that said, yes, it's 4 lines to change the hostname (5 actually, you'll need 'write mem' in there i think...) but it's far quicker once you know you're stuff than any gui.

the config tool is ok, like said, it creates weird and wodnerful configs and doesn't let you use all the features. i dislike the good for beginner label, if you don't know the CLI then perhaps you should get someone who does to do the work...

also, you think cisco CLI is bad, try riverstone...

cisco = sh int fa0/1
riverstone = port-show port-status et.1.1

at least it's short...