Configuring Terminal Lines and Modem Support

This chapter explains how to configure lines, modems, and terminal settings to access the ATM switch for management purposes. The LightStream 1010 ATM switch has two types of terminal lines: a console line and an auxiliary line. Most line setup is the same for all types of lines, but certain commands, such as those having to do with modem control, apply to the auxiliary port only.

This chapter includes the following sections:

Note For a complete description of the commands mentioned in this chapter, refer to the LightStream 1010 ATM Switch Command Reference publication.

Configuring Terminal Lines

Configuring terminal lines is a two-step process:

Step 1 Set up the lines for the terminals or other asynchronous devices attached to them.

Step 2 Configure the parameters for each line.

The tasks involved in these steps are described in the following sections:

Prepare to Configure Lines

You use line configuration mode to enter line configuration commands that affect a specified console, auxiliary, or virtual terminal line. To enter line configuration mode, use the following command in global configuration mode:

Command Task

line [aux | console | vty] line-number [ending-line-number]

Specify an auxiliary, console, or virtual terminal line to configure.

Command	Task
line [aux \| console \| vty] line-number [ending-line-number]	Specify an auxiliary, console, or virtual terminal line to configure.

The terminal from which you locally configure the system is attached to the console port. The following example specifies the console port and begins line configuration mode:

Switch(config)# line con 0
Switch(config-line)#

To auxiliary port supports modem connections. See the section "Setting Up Modem Control on the Auxiliary Port" later in this chapter to set up modem support on the auxiliary port.

Configuring the console port or virtual terminal lines allows you to specify communication parameters and autobaud connections, and configure terminal operating parameters for the terminal you are using. These tasks are described in the section "Defining Terminal Operation Characteristics."

You can also use the line command to create virtual terminal lines. The following example shows how to create and configure the maximum 4 virtual terminal lines with the "no login" feature:

Switch(config)# line vty 0 4
Switch(config-line)# no login

Set Communication Parameters

You can change the default parameters for terminal communications to meet the requirements of the terminal or host to which you are attached. To do so, use one or more of the following commands in line configuration mode:

Command Task

speed bps
txspeed bps
rxspeed bps

Set the line speed. Choose from line speed, transmit speed, or receive speed. Speed applies to the auxiliary port only.

databits {5 | 6 | 7 | 8}

Set the data bits.

stopbits {1 | 1.5 | 2}

Set the stop bits.

parity {none | even | odd | space | mark}

Set the parity bit.

Command	Task
speed bps txspeed bps rxspeed bps	Set the line speed. Choose from line speed, transmit speed, or receive speed. Speed applies to the auxiliary port only.
databits {5 \| 6 \| 7 \| 8}	Set the data bits.
stopbits {1 \| 1.5 \| 2}	Set the stop bits.
parity {none \| even \| odd \| space \| mark}	Set the parity bit.

The following example shows how to configure the auxiliary line with a speed of 19,200 bits per second (bps):

Switch(config)# line aux 0
Switch(config-line)# speed 19200

Configure Automatic Baud Detection

You can configure a terminal to automatically detect the baud rate over an asynchronous serial line. This configuration applies to the auxiliary port only. To set up automatic baud detection, use the following command in line configuration mode:

Command Task

autobaud

Set the terminal to automatically detect the baud rate.

Command	Task
autobaud	Set the terminal to automatically detect the baud rate.

To start communications using automatic baud detection, press Return multiple times at the terminal. Press Return three times for a 600-, 1800-, or 19200-baud line to detect the baud rate; press Return twice to set up a line at any other baud rate. Press Return after the baud rate is detected, and the EXEC simply displays another system prompt.

Change the Default Privilege Level for Lines

To change the default privilege level for a given line or group of lines, use the following command in line configuration mode:

Command Task

privilege level level

Specify a default privilege level for a line.

Command	Task
privilege level level	Specify a default privilege level for a line.

Configu re Flow Control for Communication

On the auxiliary port, you can set both hardware and software flow control between the LightStream 1010 ATM switch and the devices attached to it.

To configure flow control between the LightStream 1010 ATM switch and attached device, use one or more of the following commands in line configuration mode:

Command Task

flowcontrol {none | software [in | out] | hardware [in | out]}

Set the terminal flow control.

start-character ascii-number

Set the flow control start character.

stop-character ascii-number

Set the flow control stop character.

Command	Task
flowcontrol {none \| software [in \| out] \| hardware [in \| out]}	Set the terminal flow control.
start-character ascii-number	Set the flow control start character.
stop-character ascii-number	Set the flow control stop character.

Both software and hardware flow control are bidirectional. If you do not specify a direction, the LightStream 1010 ATM switch enables software flow control in both directions. For information about setting up hardware flow control on the the EIA/TIA-232 line, see the hardware installation and maintenance manual for your product.

Define a Command String for Automatic Execution

You can define a command that will automatically execute upon connection to another host. Any appropriate EXEC command and any switch or host name that occurs with the EXEC command is allowed. To do so, use the following command in line configuration mode:

Command Task

autocommand command

Define a command string to be automatically executed.

Command	Task
autocommand command	Define a command string to be automatically executed.

Specify the Trans port Protocol for a Specific Line

You can specify the protocols for individual lines by setting the protocol for incoming and outgoing connections and changing the default (preferred) protocol for a line. The default transport protocol is Telnet.

To specify transport protocols, use one or more of the following commands in line configuration mode:

Command Task

transport input {all | telnet | none}

Define which protocols can connect to a specific line of the LightStream 1010 ATM switch.

transport output {all | telnet | none}

Determine the protocols for outgoing connections from a line.

transport preferred {all | telnet | none}

Specify the protocol to use if the user did not specify one.

transport preferred none

Prevent errant connection attempts.

Command	Task
transport input {all \| telnet \| none}	Define which protocols can connect to a specific line of the LightStream 1010 ATM switch.
transport output {all \| telnet \| none}	Determine the protocols for outgoing connections from a line.
transport preferred {all \| telnet \| none}	Specify the protocol to use if the user did not specify one.
transport preferred none	Prevent errant connection attempts.

The system accepts a host name entry at the EXEC system prompt as a Telnet command. If you mistype the host name, the system interprets the entry as an incorrect Telnet command and displays an error message indicating that the host does not exist. The transport preferred none command disables this option if you mistype a command at the EXEC prompt, and the system will not attempt to make a Telnet connection.

Establish Terminal Session Limits

You can set a time limit on a terminal session and specify a warning to the user when a session is about to time out.To limit terminal sessions, use one or more of the following commands in line configuration mode:

Command Task

sess ion-limit session-number

Set the maximum number of sessions.

session-timeout minutes [output]

or

absolute-timeout minutes

Set the idle session timeout interval.

or

Set the absolute timeout interval.

logout-warning [seconds]

Warn users of impending timeouts set with the absolute-timeout command.

Command	Task
sess ion-limit session-number	Set the maximum number of sessions.
session-timeout minutes [output] or absolute-timeout minutes	Set the idle session timeout interval. or Set the absolute timeout interval.
logout-warning [seconds]	Warn users of impending timeouts set with the absolute-timeout command.

Setting Up Modem Control on the Auxiliary Port

This section describes modem control and how to configure it on the modem port. The following subsections are included:

How Modem Control Works

Figure 3-1 through Figure 3-3 illustrate how modem control works on the LightStream 1010 ATM switch auxiliary port. These diagrams show two processes:

The create daemon process, used to create a TTY daemon that handles the incoming network connection
The create EXEC process, used to create the process that interprets user commands.

In the figures, the current signal state and the signal line are listed inside each box. The state of the line is listed next to the box. (You can display the current state of a line with the show line command.) Events that change that state appear in italics along the event path, with the software actions described within the ovals.

Figure 3-1 illustrates line behavior when no modem control is set. The DTR output is always high, and CTS and RING are ignored. The LightStream 1010 ATM switch creates an EXEC when the activation character is typed. Incoming Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) connections occur instantly if the line is not in use and can be closed only by the remote host.

Figure 3-1: EXEC and Daemon Creation on a Line with No Modem Control

Configure Automa tic Dialing

With the dialup capability, you can set a modem to automatically dial the phone number of a remote LightStream 1010 ATM switch. This feature offers cost savings because phone line connections are made as needed---you pay for using the phone line only when there is data to be received or sent. To configure a line for automatic dialing, use the following command in line configuration mode:

Command Task

modem dtr-active

Configure a line to initiate automatic dialing.

Command	Task
modem dtr-active	Configure a line to initiate automatic dialing.

Automatically Answer a Modem

You can configure a line to automatically answer a modem. You also configure the modem to do the following:

Answer the telephone automatically if DTR is high.
Drop connections when DTR is low.
Use its Carrier Detect (CD) signal to accurately reflect the presence of carrier.

Note Configuring the modem is a modem-dependent process.

Wire the modem's CD signal (generally pin 8) to the RING input (pin 22) of the LightStream 1010 ATM switch, then use the following command in line configuration mode:

Command Task

modem dialin

Configure a line to automatically answer a modem.

Command	Task
modem dialin	Configure a line to automatically answer a modem.

You can turn on the modem's hardware flow control independently to act on the status of the LightStream 1010 ATM switch's CTS input. Wire CTS to whatever signal the modem uses for hardware flow control. If the modem expects to control hardware flow in both directions, you might also need to wire the modem's flow control input to some other signal that the LightStream 1010 ATM switch always has high (such as DTR).

Figure 3-2 illustrates the modem dialin process. When the LightStream 1010 ATM switch detects a signal on the RING input of an idle line, it starts an EXEC or autobaud process on that line. If the RING signal disappears on an active line, the LightStream 1010 ATM switch closes any open network connections and terminates the EXEC. If the user exits the EXEC or the LightStream 1010 ATM switch terminates it because of no user input, the line hangs up the modem by lowering the DTR signal for five seconds. After five seconds, the modem is ready to accept another call.

Figure 3-2: EXEC Creation on a Line Configured for a High-Speed Dial-Up Modem

Support Dial-In and Dial-Out Modems

To configure a line for both incoming and outgoing calls, use the following command in line configuration mode:

Command Task

modem inout

Configure a line for both incoming and outgoing calls.

Command	Task
modem inout	Configure a line for both incoming and outgoing calls.

Figure 3-3 illustrates the modem in-out process. If the line is activated by raising RING, it behaves exactly as a line configured with the modem dialin subcommand, as described in the section "Automatically Answer a Modem." If the line is activated by an incoming TCP connection, the line behaves similarly to a nonmodem line.

Figure 3-3: EXEC and Daemon Creation on a Line Configured for Incoming and Outgoing Calls

Note If your system uses dial-out modems, consider using access lists to prevent unauthorized use.

Configure a Line Timeout Interval

You can change the interval that the LightStream 1010 ATM switch waits for CTS after raising DTR in response to RING from the default of 15 seconds. To do so, use the following command in line configuration mode:

Command Task

modem answer-timeout seconds

Configure modem line timing.

Command	Task
modem answer-timeout seconds	Configure modem line timing.

Close Modem Connections

You can configure a line to close all connections from a user's terminal when the terminal is turned off, and prevent inbound connections to devices that are out of service. To do so, use the following command in line configuration mode:

Command Task

modem printer

Configure a line to close all connections.

Command	Task
modem printer	Configure a line to close all connections.

Figure 3-4 illustrates how the modem printer process requires a high CTS throughout the use of the line. If CTS is not high, the user's typed input is ignored and incoming connections are refused (or stepped to the next line in a rotary group).

Note A LightStream 1010 ATM switch can reliably detect a CTS signal change if the signal remains in the new state for at least one full second.

Figure 3-4: EXEC and Daemon Creation on a Line Configured for Continuous CTS

Support Old-Style Dial-In Modems

The LightStream 1010 ATM switch supports dial-in modems that use DTR to control the off-hook status of the telephone line. To do this, use the following command in line configuration mode:

Command Task

modem callin

Configure a line for a dial-in modem.

Command	Task
modem callin	Configure a line for a dial-in modem.

Figure 3-5 illustrates the modem callin process. When a modem dialing line is idle, the DTR is in a low state and waits for a transition to occur on the RING input. This transition causes the line to raise DTR and start watching the CTS signal from the modem. After the modem raises CTS, the LightStream 1010 ATM switch creates an EXEC on the line. If the timeout interval (set with the modem answer-timeout command) expires before the modem raises CTS, the line lowers DTR and returns to the idle state.

Figure 3-5: EXEC Creation on a Line Configured for Modem Callin

Note The modem callin and modem printer line configuration commands ensure that when the line is hung up or CTS drops, the line reverts from SLIP mode to normal interactive mode. These commands do not work if you use the async dedicated command to put the line in network mode permanently.

Although you can use the modem callin line configuration command with newer modems, the modem dialin line configuration command described earlier in this section is more appropriate. The modem dialin command frees up CTS for hardware flow control. Modern modems do not require the DTR to take a phone line off-hook.

Configure Rotary Groups

Connections can be made to the next free line in a group of lines, also called a rotary or hunt group. A line can be in only one rotary group; a rotary group can consist of a single line or several contiguous lines. The console line (line 0) cannot be in a rotary group.

You might want to assign the rotary with the single auxiliary port line since the auxiliary port is not necessarily the same line number on all hardware. By putting it in a rotary group, you do not have to track the actual line number. Another reason to use a rotary group is that if the device supports local area transport (LAT), an inbound service can only be bound to a rotary group; it cannot be bound to a port number.

To configure a rotary group, use the following command in line configuration mode:

Command Task

rotary group

Add a line to the specified rotary group.

Command	Task
rotary group	Add a line to the specified rotary group.

Configure High-Speed Modem Support

Modems that operate over normal dial-up telephone lines at speeds of 9600 bits per second (bps) and higher do not guarantee a specific throughput; instead, they operate at a speed that depends on the quality of the line, the effectiveness of data compression algorithms on the data being transmitted, and other variables. These modems use hardware flow control to stop the data from reaching the host by toggling an EIA/TIA-232 signal when they cannot accept any more data.

In addition to hardware flow control, dial-up modems require special software handling. You must configure the modems to create an EXEC when a user dials in, hang up when the user exits the EXEC, and close any existing network connections if the telephone line hangs up in the middle of a session.

Your LightStream 1010 ATM switch supports hardware flow control on its CTS input, which is also used by the normal modem handshake. To configure and use a high-speed modem, perform the following tasks, beginning in line configuration mode:

Step Command Task

1
flowcontrol hardware

In line configuration mode, enable outgoing hardware flow control based on the CTS input.

2
end

Enter privileged EXEC command mode.

3
debug modem

Display informational messages on the console terminal about modem control events, such as signal transitions and autobaud progress.

4
show line

Display the status of a line. In the detailed command output, a Status line with "Idle" identifies inactive modem dialin lines and all other modem lines; a Status line with "Ready" identifies lines in use.

Step	Command	Task
1	flowcontrol hardware	In line configuration mode, enable outgoing hardware flow control based on the CTS input.
2	end	Enter privileged EXEC command mode.
3	debug modem	Display informational messages on the console terminal about modem control events, such as signal transitions and autobaud progress.
4	show line	Display the status of a line. In the detailed command output, a Status line with "Idle" identifies inactive modem dialin lines and all other modem lines; a Status line with "Ready" identifies lines in use.

Supporting Reverse TCP Connections

The LightStream 1010 ATM switch can receive incoming connections on the auxiliary port. This capability allows you to attach serial printers, modems, and other shared peripherals to the LightStream 1010 ATM switch and drive them remotely from other systems. The LightStream 1010 ATM switch supports reverse TCP connections.

The specific TCP port or socket to which you attach the peripheral device determines the type of service the LightStream 1010 ATM switch provides on that line. When you attach the serial lines of a computer system or a data terminal switch to the auxiliary port of the LightStream 1010 ATM switch, the LightStream 1010 ATM switch acts as a network front end for a host that does not support the TCP/IP protocols. This arrangement is sometimes called front-ending or reverse connection mode.

To connect the auxiliary port, the remote host or terminal must specify a particular TCP port on the LightStream 1010 ATM switch. If Telnet protocols are required, that port is 2000 (decimal) plus the decimal value of the line number.

If a raw TCP stream is required, the port is 4000 (decimal) plus the decimal line number. The raw TCP stream is usually the required mode for sending data to a printer.

The Telnet protocol requires that carriage return characters be translated into carriage return and linefeed character pairs. You can turn this translation off by specifying the Telnet binary mode option. To specify this option, connect to port 6000 (decimal) plus the decimal line number.

Defining Terminal Operation Characteristics

In line configuration mode, you can set terminal operation characteristics for that line until you change the line parameters.

You can temporarily change the line settings with the terminal EXEC commands described in the chapter "Understanding the User Interfaces for the LightStream 1010 ATM Switch."

Define the terminal operation characteristics by performing the tasks in the following sections:

Specify the Terminal Type

You can specify the type of terminal connected to a line. This feature has two benefits: it records the type of terminal attached to a line, and it can inform the remote host of the terminal type for display management. To specify the terminal type, use the following command in line configuration mode:

Command Task

terminal-type terminal-name

Specify the terminal type.

Command	Task
terminal-type terminal-name	Specify the terminal type.

Set the Terminal Screen Length and Width

By default, the LightStream 1010 ATM switch provides a screen display of 24 lines by 80 characters. You can reconfigure these values if they do not meet the needs of your terminal by performing the following tasks in line configuration mode:

Step Command Task

1
length screen-length

Set the screen length.

2
width characters

Set the screen width.

Step	Command	Task
1	length screen-length	Set the screen length.
2	width characters	Set the screen width.

The values set can be learned by some host systems that use this type of information in terminal negotiation. Set a value of zero for the screen length to disable pausing between screens of output.

Define Escape Character and Other Key Sequences

You can define or modify the default key sequences to execute functions for system escape, terminal activation, disconnect, and terminal pause. To define or change the default sequence, use one or more of the following commands in line configuration mode:

Command Task

escape-character ascii-number

Change the system escape sequence. The escape sequence indicates that the codes that follow have special meaning. The default sequence is Ctrl-^.

activation-character ascii-number

Define a session activation sequence or character. Typing this sequence at a vacant terminal begins a terminal session. The default key is Return.

disconnect-character ascii-number

Define the session disconnect sequence or character. Typing this sequence at a terminal ends the session with the LightStream 1010 ATM switch. There is no default sequence.

hold-character ascii-number

Define the hold sequence or character that causes output to the terminal screen to pause. There is no default sequence. To continue the output, type any character after the hold character. To use the hold character in normal communications, precede it with the escape character.

Command	Task
escape-character ascii-number	Change the system escape sequence. The escape sequence indicates that the codes that follow have special meaning. The default sequence is Ctrl-^.
activation-character ascii-number	Define a session activation sequence or character. Typing this sequence at a vacant terminal begins a terminal session. The default key is Return.
disconnect-character ascii-number	Define the session disconnect sequence or character. Typing this sequence at a terminal ends the session with the LightStream 1010 ATM switch. There is no default sequence.
hold-character ascii-number	Define the hold sequence or character that causes output to the terminal screen to pause. There is no default sequence. To continue the output, type any character after the hold character. To use the hold character in normal communications, precede it with the escape character.

Note If you are using the autoselect command, do not change the activation character from the default value of Return. If you change this default, autoselect may not function immediately.

Specify the International Character Display

You can use a 7-bit character set (such as ASCII) or you can enable a full 8-bit international character set (such as ISO 8859) to allow special graphical and international characters for use in banners and prompts, and to add special characters such as software flow control. You can configure these settings globally by interface or locally at the user level. Use the following criteria for determining the configuration mode to use when setting up this feature:

If a large number of connected terminals support nondefault ASCII bit settings, use the global configuration commands.
If only a few of the connected terminals support nondefault ASCII bit settings, use line configuration commands or the EXEC local terminal setting commands.

Note Setting the EXEC character width to 8 bits can cause failures. If a user on a terminal that is sending parity enters the help command, an unrecognized command message appears because the system is reading all eight bits, although the eighth bit is not needed for the help command.

To specify a character set on a global basis, use one or both of the following commands in global configuration mode:

Command Task

default-value exec-character-bits {7 | 8}

Specify the character set used in EXEC and configuration command characters.

default-value special-character-bits {7 | 8}

Specify the character set used in special characters such as software flow control, hold, escape, and disconnect characters.

Command	Task
default-value exec-character-bits {7 \| 8}	Specify the character set used in EXEC and configuration command characters.
default-value special-character-bits {7 \| 8}	Specify the character set used in special characters such as software flow control, hold, escape, and disconnect characters.

To specify a character set based on hardware or software, or on a per-line basis, use the appropriate command in line configuration mode:

Command Task

databits {5 | 6 | 7 | 8}

Set the number of databits per character that are generated and interpreted by hardware.

data-character-bits {7 | 8}

Set the number of databits per character that are generated and interpreted by software.

exec-character-bits {7 | 8}

Specify the character set used in EXEC and configuration command characters on a per-line basis.

special-character-bits {7 | 8}

Specify the character set used in special characters such as software flow control, hold, escape, and disconnect characters on a per-line basis.

Command	Task
databits {5 \| 6 \| 7 \| 8}	Set the number of databits per character that are generated and interpreted by hardware.
data-character-bits {7 \| 8}	Set the number of databits per character that are generated and interpreted by software.
exec-character-bits {7 \| 8}	Specify the character set used in EXEC and configuration command characters on a per-line basis.
special-character-bits {7 \| 8}	Specify the character set used in special characters such as software flow control, hold, escape, and disconnect characters on a per-line basis.

Note If you are using the autoselect function, let the activation character default to Return, and exec-character-bits default to 7. If you change these defaults, the application will not recognize the activation request.

Set Character Padding

You can change the character padding on a specific output character. Character padding adds a number of null bytes to the end of the string and can make a string conform to an expected length. To set character padding, use the following command in line configuration mode:

Command Task

padding ascii-number count

Set padding on a specific output character for the specified line.

Command	Task
padding ascii-number count	Set padding on a specific output character for the specified line.

Disable Enhanced Editing Mode

To disable enhanced editing mode and revert to the editing mode of previous software releases, use the following command in line configuration mode:

Command Task

no editing

Disable the enhanced editing features for a particular line.

Command	Task
no editing	Disable the enhanced editing features for a particular line.

You might disable enhanced editing if you have prebuilt scripts that do not interact well when enhanced editing is enabled. You can reenable enhanced editing mode with the editing command.

Provide Line Connection Information after the Login Prompt

You can provide the host name, line number, and location each time an EXEC is started or an incoming connection is made. The line number banner appears immediately after the EXEC banner or incoming banner. It is useful for tracking problems with modems because it lists the host and line for the modem connection. Modem information is also included if applicable.

To provide service line number information, use the following command in global configuration mode:

Command Task

service linenumber

Provide service line number information after the EXEC or incoming banner.

Command	Task
service linenumber	Provide service line number information after the EXEC or incoming banner.

Enable Password Checking at Login

You can enable password checking on a particular line so that the user is prompted to enter a password at the system login screen. You must then also specify a password. To do so, perform the following tasks in line configuration mode:

Step Command Task

1
login

Enable password checking on a per-line basis using the password specified with the password command.

2
password password

Assign a password to a particular line.

Step	Command	Task
1	login	Enable password checking on a per-line basis using the password specified with the password command.
2	password password	Assign a password to a particular line.

You can enable password checking on a per-user basis so that authentication is based on the username specified with the username global configuration command, as described in the "Configuring System Management Functions" chapter. To enable this type of password checking, use one of the following commands in line configuration mode:

Command Task

login local

Enable password checking on a per-user basis using the username and password specified with the username global configuration command.

login tacacs
or
login authentication {default | list-name}

Select the TACACS-style user ID and password-checking mechanism.

Use the login tacacs command with Terminal Access Controller Access Control System (TACACS) and extended TACACS Plus. Use the login authentication command with authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA)/TACACS+.

By default, virtual terminals require passwords. If you do not set a password for a virtual terminal, it responds to attempted connections by displaying an error message and closing the connection. Use the no login command to disable this behavior and allow connections without a password.

For other access control tasks and password restrictions, including the enable password global configuration command that restricts access to privileged mode, see the "Configuring System Management Functions" chapter.

Check Password Examples

The following example shows password checking enabled for a virtual terminal line 1:

Switch(config)# line vty 1
Switch(config-line)# login
Switch(config-line)# password letmein

The following example shows password checking enabled on a per-user basis:

Switch(config)# username jksmith password 0 letmein
Switch(config)# username lmjones password 0 littlerock
Switch(config)# line vty 1
Switch(config-line)# login local

Configuring Terminal Banner Messages

The following sections explain how to configure terminal messages:

Configure a Message-of-the-Day Banner

You can configure MOTD to display on all connected terminals. This message is displayed at login and is useful for sending messages that affect all network users, such as impending system shutdowns. To do so, use the following command in global configuration mode:

Command Task

banner motd c message c

Configure a message-of-the-day banner.

Configure a Line Activation Message

You can configure a line activation message to display when an EXEC process such as line activation or an incoming connection to a virtual terminal is created. To do so, use the following command in global configuration mode:

Command Task

banner exec c message c

Configure a message to be displayed on terminals with an interactive EXEC.

Configure an Incoming Message Banner

You can configure a message to display on terminals connected to reverse Telnet lines. This message is useful for providing instructions to users of these types of connections. Reverse Telnet connections are described in more detail in the section "Supporting Reverse TCP Connections."

To configure the message that will be sent on incoming connections, use the following command in global configuration mode:

Command Task

banner incoming c message c

Configure messages to display on terminals connected to reverse Telnet lines.

Configure an Idle Terminal Message

You can configure messages to display on a console or terminal that is not in use. Also called a vacant message, this message is different from the banner message displayed when an EXEC process is activated. To configure an idle terminal message, use the following command in line configuration mode:

Command Task

vacant-message [c message c]

Display an idle terminal message.

Enable or Disable the Display of Messages

You can control display of the MOTD and line activation banners. By default, these banners display on all lines. To suppress or resume these messages, use one of the following commands in line configuration mode:

Command Task

no exec-banner

Suppress banner display.

exec-banner

Resume the display of the EXEC or MOTD banners.

Banner Message Example

The following example shows how to use the banner global configuration command and
no exec-banner line configuration command to notify your users that the server is going to be reloaded with new software:

Switch(config)# banner exec /
Enter TEXT message.  End with the character '/'.
This is the Cisco System Publications and Training LS1010 Switch.
 
Unauthorized access prohibited./
Switch(config)# banner incoming /
You are connected to a Hayes-compatible modem.
 
Enter the appropriate AT commands.
Remember to reset anything to change before disconnecting.
/
Switch(config)# banner motd /
The switch will go down at 6pm for a software upgrade.
/
Switch(config)# line vty 0 4
Switch(config-line)# no exec-banner
Switch(config-line)#

Command	Task
login local	Enable password checking on a per-user basis using the username and password specified with the username global configuration command.
login tacacs or login authentication {default \| list-name}	Select the TACACS-style user ID and password-checking mechanism.

Command	Task
no exec-banner	Suppress banner display.
exec-banner	Resume the display of the EXEC or MOTD banners.

Table of Contents

Configuring Terminal Lines and Modem Support