Earthnet Cisco 678 Routed Configuration (DMT)

Before proceeding with this configuration, ensure that you have the following information from Earthnet:

New subnet
New netmask
New router IP
Usable IP Range

This document will assist you in configuring a Cisco 678 DSL router for use with Earthnet's DSL internet access service.


Part 1 - Connect to your modem's interface

You should receive several items with your DSL router package, including a "management cable". You will need to use this cable in conjunction with your computer to enter the appropriate configuration into your router's non-volatile RAM (NVRAM), so that it can connect to our service with all of the proper settings.

One end of the management cable connects to the computer's serial port and has 9 pins. The other end (which looks similar to a phone connector) connects to the port on the Cisco labeled MGMT.

Once this is connected, you can log in using a program such as HyperTerminal (assuming you are using a Microsoft Windows-based computer), or any other terminal emulation software. The settings on your terminal software should be

8-N-1 (8 data bits, no parity, 1 stop bit),
no flow control,
38,400 baud (or bits per second).

Once you've set up the connection you should be able to hit ENTER a couple of times and see it ask for a password. You've successfully establish a serial connection with the router and can now configure it!

Part 2 - Enter Enable Mode

The Cisco 678 ships with no password by default.

When asked for a password, just press ENTER.
Then type 'enable' and press ENTER.
When asked for a password again, simply press ENTER again.

You will know that you're in 'enable mode' by the # sign after the prompt.

To make the necessary changes to your router, begin with the following:

set nvram erase
write
reboot

The router will then reboot.

Press ENTER a couple of times to get to a password prompt.
Press ENTER.
This will give you the cbos> prompt.
Type 'enable' and press ENTER.
When it asks for a password, press ENTER once more to put yourself in enable mode.
You should end up with the cbos# prompt.

As you progress through these instructions, whenever it says 'enter enable mode', repeat the paragraph above.

Part 3 - Set a Password for the Router's Configuration Shell

The first thing you want to do after entering your router's configuration mode is to set a password for the router's configuration shell. This will keep malicious people from logging into your router, and enable you to remotely manage the router's configuration in the future.

The password should be something you can remember, but something that is secure.
Secure passwords have a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and at least one special character (like ! or @). Examples of these are:

0pen!d00r
F1re@H0s3
Busy$B33

(Please don't use any of these examples!)

Once you have chosen a password, either make sure it is something you can remember, or write it down in a safe place where only you have access to it.

To change it in the router, type:

set password exec <password>

For example: set password exec Open!d00r

Because a person would have to know the exec password to log into the router at all, it's not necessary to put a password on the enable mode. However, if you elect to do this anyway, the syntax is as follows:

set password enable <password>

If you do not set an enable password, just hit ENTER from now on when it prompts you for a password after typing 'enable'.


Part 4 - Configure the Router

Type the following:

set bridging rfc1483 disabled
write
reboot

This disables bridging mode, which Earthnet does not support (We use PPP instead)

When it reboots, enter enable mode, and continue typing:

set ppp wan0-0 ipcp <router ip address>
set ppp wan0-0 dns 66.151.173.1
set ppp restart enabled
set ppp wan0-0 authentication enable
set ppp wan0-0 login <loginname>
set ppp wan0-0 password <password>
set int eth0 address <router ip address>
set int eth0 netmask <subnet mask>
write

set web disabled
set web port 64800
set nat enabled
set dhcp client disabled
set dhcp server disabled
write

set int wan0-0 disable
set int wan0-0 vpi 0
set int wan0-0 vci 32
set int wan0-0 enable
set int wan0-0 open
write
reboot

At this point your router will reboot and should successfully connect to Earthnet's network using the IP address you specified.
If you watch the WAN link light (the green one), it should be solid (not blinking) if you've entered the configuration information as shown here.
If it goes black or starts blinking, there is a problem, and you should contact Earthnet at 303-546-6362. Usually this is going to be a Qwest problem, but we suggest you call us first so that we can determine that for sure, to prevent any sort of "wild goose chase" with Qwest.

You can test the connection by logging into the router and attempting to ping something. An address outside of the Earthnet network that should usually be up is 66.151.173.1. From your CBOS prompt, type 'ping 66.151.173.1' and press ENTER. You should see a 'ping reply,' which
indicates that your router is configured correctly. If you see 'request timed out,' then it means there are errors, and you should contact our support to troubleshoot it.

At this point, in most cases, you should make sure that your Cisco 678 is plugged into your computer's ethernet card with provided crossover cable, attaching it to the ENET jack on the 678. Alternatively, if you are using an ethernet hub for connectivity, the 678 should either be plugged into the 'crossover' port with the crossover cable, or it should be plugged into a normal port with a normal ethernet cable.

After your Cisco 678 is connected reliably, you should configure your computer to use DHCP for its IP address. The way to do this varies with operating systems - some show it as "obtain an IP address automatically" or "obtain an address from a DHCP server."

Once your computer is set up to get its IP address from DHCP, you may have to reboot it. If so, when it comes back up, it should have requested an IP address from the Cisco 678 and received one (the first one will be 10.0.0.2, the second 10.0.0.3, and so on). You can test this by trying to ping from your computer. You should be able to ping your router (10.0.0.1), as well as something outside of the router (66.151.173.1 is a good one to check your xDSL circuit).

If all of this works correctly, you have successfully set up your DSL connection.

Related links:

DSL modem configuration
What is my username and password?
How do I reset my password on a Cisco modem?

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