Fri 28 Dec 2007
When using GNS3, the application used for console access is normally basic telnet. Personally, I do not like the windows telnet application at all. It does not allow logging or the ability to maximize the window.
This tutorial will show you how to use Putty for console access instead of the default

(29 votes, average: 4.31 out of 5)








January 16th, 2008 at 11:58 pm
good
January 17th, 2008 at 10:30 am
very nice site … & great effort
btw you can enable logging on telnet session using MS telnet service by typing “terminal monitor” in privilege mode & the window size can be adjusted but definitely MS telnet applications is never to be used for security reasons which is as a good practice for the real world
January 31st, 2008 at 7:20 am
Site is good but not clarify for the userz.
February 7th, 2008 at 8:54 pm
strange…I was just thinking how exactly to do this and almost instantly I come across this article randomly browsing around some cisco related sites. cool.
March 1st, 2008 at 5:53 pm
This is simply Amazing Video Tutorial!!
Thanks a Bunch!!
March 6th, 2008 at 2:01 am
Thank you very much! It helps me to prepare for Cisco exam. Really appreciate your work.
March 9th, 2008 at 6:49 am
[...] How to use Putty for console access [...]
March 11th, 2008 at 10:20 am
My question is different::: How do you use the cloud to configure frame relay. I have no idea how to do this. And also, I saw in one of the tutorials how to use the cloud to configure a microsoft loopback, what is this feature for??????????
March 11th, 2008 at 11:15 am
rynhadn,
I have a frame-relay tutorial in the works for GNS3.
Here are a couple other tutorials with practical uses for a loopback interface:
http://www.blindhog.net/cisco-using-dynamips-your-personal-internet-router/
http://www.blindhog.net/cisco-dynamips-virtual-wan-with-ethernet-connection/
Josh
March 31st, 2008 at 11:17 pm
when I start PIX, Putty runs and then it will disappear .. can’t start anything .. tried to remove putty and work with the command line window . .same problem happens ..it will just start and then disappear . .
any ideas ? !!
March 31st, 2008 at 11:28 pm
What version of the Pix are you running? I have seen this with version 6.3.x. I had to configure the serial number and activation code from a working pix firewall.
Josh
April 1st, 2008 at 10:59 am
it is pix pix529.bin SN: 0×12345678
I don’t care .. I just need any pix version that works and I can learn from it
Thank you
April 1st, 2008 at 11:18 am
it is working now .. I have used the same image version you used in your video ..
and same serial number
Thank you
April 8th, 2008 at 9:03 am
Again super trick. thanks .
April 8th, 2008 at 12:02 pm
Why my GNS3 version (gns3.0.4.1) don’t have a Terminal Emulation button? Thus I can not check out the console acces via Putty (it is not really important but I am wondering)
May 9th, 2008 at 4:52 pm
I’ve been working on putty to access the routers. After working for a while, the putty session ends by itself and when i try to log on to console again … it gives a sound and does’nt open up…anybody else facing problems like these ? I tried to use normal telnet but that does’nt work either …. after a short while, a strange message appears on the console that Error:lost communication with dynamips server localhost. It may have crashed. Check the dynamics server output. Does anybody know whats going on here ?
June 5th, 2008 at 6:17 pm
Another great tutorial. Thanks!
June 6th, 2008 at 7:37 am
@Joe P - You are welcome.
June 10th, 2008 at 2:44 pm
Is it possible to use SecureCRT. I tried to follow directions as you stated for Putty with SecureCRT copied in C:\SecureCRT.exe it didn’t worked.
ex.
start C:\SecureCRT.exe -telnet %h %p
Please let me know way around, if any available.
Regards,
-Mumtaz
June 11th, 2008 at 11:46 pm
@Mumtaz,
Here is a link that might help.
http://emuworks.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1
Josh
July 14th, 2008 at 11:14 pm
1.but how to change the default telnet program on linux?
2.if i just wanna leave the machine which installed GNS3 as a server and telnet to it from remote PC,how to do it?
Thanks
July 15th, 2008 at 9:35 am
Using PuTTY increases CPU usage by about a factor of 2.
July 15th, 2008 at 11:29 am
@Vincent
1. I have not tested this with linux yet.
This post seems to have the answer you are looking for though.
2. Not sure, I haven’t tested GNS3 with Linux a lot. I need to though.
July 15th, 2008 at 8:30 pm
Thanks,Josh,it’s working
July 26th, 2008 at 4:51 pm
Hi There: I am trying to use an image on a 2600 and when I try to launch PUTTY the putty window opens but nothing happens. Also, I tried for Rtr 2600 with another image, BUT then again the putty window launches but nothing happens. However, with 3600 and 3700 putty opens without any problem. What you think might be the issue? Thanks
July 26th, 2008 at 9:13 pm
Hello to the above question just to add I am using the latest GN3 0.5 Beta version. It may help for your reply. Thank you
July 28th, 2008 at 7:21 am
wtareen,
To be honest, I have always used the 3600, 3700 or 7200 for my labs. Can you post the image you are using?
Josh
July 29th, 2008 at 3:39 pm
The image I was using for 2600 was 12.3 Enterprise IP/FW/IPS IPSEC 3DES for 2610XM. I also tried another Enterprise IP image for 12.3 but that also did not work. I am not using 7200 but for 3600 and 3700 putty works fine.
July 29th, 2008 at 9:16 pm
wtareen,
I think your problem might be that you are trying to use an XM image. You might try a standard 2600 image.
Josh
August 7th, 2008 at 10:12 am
GNS3 : How to Use Putty Connection Manager for Console Access…
In this tutorial, I will show you how you can setup your PuTTY Connection Manager (PuTTyCM) with GNS3. This will help you to manage all your cisco/network devices from single window. PuTTyCM is a great free utility that allows you manage PuTTY connecti…
August 13th, 2008 at 12:10 pm
Hello,
I have configured the 2600 ios image and when i try to use the 2600 router, i am receiving an error message that says: ” Dynamips can start on port 7200..
What can i do to correct this?
Thanks for help
Raul
August 13th, 2008 at 10:43 pm
Raul,
I am not sure. You might ask this question on the hacki forums.
Josh
September 3rd, 2008 at 11:33 am
If you have putty installed via the installer and want the exe to stay in the correct dir, you can use this method.
start C:\”Program Files”\PuTTY\putty.exe -telnet %h %p
September 23rd, 2008 at 8:59 pm
Kyle,
Thanks for the tip!
Josh
September 26th, 2008 at 11:15 pm
Awesome video. Thank you!
October 1st, 2008 at 10:12 am
Raul,
Oddly enough, I have ran into this issue myself on one of my Ubuntu machines. For some strange reason, I have to run gns3 as root.
Are you using Linux or Windows?
Josh
December 19th, 2008 at 7:14 am
Hithe video is great,but i’m having a bit of a problem, i’ve follwing the instruction on the tutorial video, select dynamips everything is identical except for the terminal command box which i don’t have. this is the area to write in the start putty commandi,i have everything else.
I’m running windows vista, has anyone got any idea has how i can configure GNS3 to work with putty terminal.
Dave
December 19th, 2008 at 7:49 am
Lorenzo,
The terminal command box is possibly under the ‘General’ tab depending on the version you are using.
Josh
January 21st, 2009 at 2:53 am
Hi josh ,
How can i configure teraterm to be used with GNS.
I have followed the documentation in GNS website. But it does not work. I download the ttssh.exe file and extracted it to the teraterm pro installed folder but still cannot get the teraterm working as the default console for GNS.
Will look forward to your reply.
Regards and thanks,
January 22nd, 2009 at 9:08 pm
Kapil,
I am not sure. Never tried it.
Josh
February 5th, 2009 at 12:09 am
Josh,
Is there any video for configuring access server similar to PUTTY CM.
It will be very useful for my CCNP preparation.
Thanks
February 5th, 2009 at 4:30 pm
Still no good answer on remote hypervisor’s…which begs the question what about the 7200’s i have load balanced across 25 hypervisors on 25 seperate physical servers?
My point or question, which I’m hoping everyone’s getting is, is there a way for the console to always be 127.0.0.1:2xxx regardless of where the hypervisor(s) running the IOS is running?
February 10th, 2009 at 12:51 am
Nazir,
Take a look at this post: http://www.brainbump.net/2008/12/gns3-how-to-setup-terminal-server-for-ccie-labs/
Josh
February 10th, 2009 at 12:55 am
David,
I do not think there is. When I use multiple hypervisors, I use one of the routers as an “access server” by following this tutorial. Just configure the alias command to the physical address of the hypervisor server and tcp port number.
http://www.brainbump.net/2008/12/gns3-how-to-setup-terminal-server-for-ccie-labs/
Josh
March 25th, 2009 at 7:55 am
when I start PIX, Putty runs and then it will disappear .. did read previous notes, which dont state how to fix issue..
any ideas ? !!
March 28th, 2009 at 10:48 pm
Simple but great!!!!
April 19th, 2009 at 8:12 am
brian,
Thats odd. Hover over the pix icon until the summary dialog shows up. Find the console port.
Open putty. Telnet to 127.0.0.1 and enter the port of the pix in the port box in putty.
You should be able to see the error from there.
Josh
May 7th, 2009 at 11:54 pm
I love http://www.blindhog.net
June 1st, 2009 at 11:40 pm
thank
June 13th, 2009 at 8:53 pm
For Linux (I use Ubuntu),
1. Install PuTTY from Synaptic Package Manager
2. In General settings of GNS3 preferences windows, modify “terminal command” field for “/usr/bin/putty -fg green -bg black -telnet %h %p”
And your’re done!
Phil