Configuring MOTD banner and how to enable MOTD banner for Telnet in packet tracer
This lab exercise entails the basic setup of the router. In this lab, we will configure the IP address on a fast Ethernet port of the router. And we will name the interface as the ‘Branch Office Interface.’ Naming the interface is an excellent and very essential practice because it would give us the information that to which location the port is connected. As a Network Admin, when we log into a router the description of the interfaces is very helpful. It makes management of the interfaces wee bit easier especially in the big networks where there are many different devices. The user has to go into the interface configuration mode to setup the IP Address and description.
You will also learn to configure MOTD [Message of the Day] in this lab. When the user is logged into the device then a message appears on the screen. That message is known as the Message of the Day (MOTD). Usually, the MOTD banner is set-up as a warning against the unauthorized access.
Some people show ascii art and huge messages like terms and conditions as message of the day however best practice is to use short and precise MOTD banner as big messages put extra load on the device which results in unnecessary processor cycles.
It’s all up to the admin to choose whatever message of the day should show up when we login to the Cisco device.
Enable MOTD banner for Telnet
The MOTD banner configured on the Cisco device will not show when someone telnet into that device by default.
To enable the MOTD banner on the Vty line, we have to use the ‘motd-banner’ command on the Vty lines.
We have to enter into the VTY line configuration mode and then enter the command as shown below to enable banner on the telnet connection.
Switch(config)#line vty 0 4
Switch(config-line)#motd-banner
Lab Tasks
- Access router via console connection
- Set interface fast Ethernet 0/0 to 192.128.1.1 255.255.255.0
- Set interface fast Ethernet description to BRANCH OFFICE INTERFACE
- Set MOTD as —- UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS IS NOT ALLOWED —-
Lab Configuration
Task 1
Click on pc2 > click desktop tab > click on terminal > click ok
(you should be able to access router now)
Task 2
Router>
Router>enable
Router#configure terminal
Router(config)#interface fastEthernet 0/0
Router(config-if)#ip address 192.168.1.1 255.255.255.0
Router(config-if)#no shutdown
Task 3
Router(config)#interface fastEthernet 0/0
Router(config-if)#description BRANCH OFFICE INTERFACE
Task 4
Router(config)#banner motd / —- UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS IS NOT ALLOWED —- /
