Of course, there are many more Windows terminal emulators than just these - including PowerVT, PowerTerm, WRQ Reflection, HotVT, TinyTERM, and BlueZone.
Figure F offers a screenshot of the program. While Windows HyperTerminal is also free, it can be frustrating to use sometimes. It offers logging and XMODEM file transfer to get files onto switches or routers with the correct IOS. Figure E offers a screenshot of using this option.Īlso included in the Windows OS, the Windows HyperTerminal program provides Telnet and serial, but no SSH. It's only available at the Windows command prompt, and odds are good you're already familiar with this option. Supported by the Windows OS, the telnet command provides Telnet only. It's similar in look and feel to SecureCRT. Overall, this is a very nice terminal emulator. It offers a saved setup, as well as add-ons such as a macros editor.
It supports logging, and the source code is freely available.
Figure B and Figure C show screenshots of the tool.Īvailable from Ayera Technologies' Web site, TeraTerm Pro provides Telnet, serial, and SSH for the Windows OS. Also available are PuTTYtel, PSCP, PSFTP, Plink, Pageant, and PuTTYgen, as well as hundreds of other products based on the source code of PuTTY.īest of all, PuTTY is free. 60, PuTTY hasn't seen heavy development, but it works great. One downside is that the connection list isn't easily stored.Ĭurrently in version. It supports logging, and source code is freely available. It features a single executable to run and no installation. Figure A shows a screenshot of SecureCRT.Īn implementation of Telnet and SSH for Windows and UNIX platforms, PuTTY provides Telnet, serial, and SSH. It's been around for a while (current version is 5.5), and Cisco fully supports it. I have seen SecureCRT used at Cisco sites and on Cisco testing computers. SecureCRT integrates with SecureFX for file transfer, and it only works on Windows. It offers a script recorder, logging, and multiple session windows. SecureCRTĪ product of VanDyke Software, SecureCRT provides Telnet, serial, and SSH for the Windows OS. Let's find out how the terminal emulators recommended by readers compare. Here's a quick look at their suggestions. Members didn't disappoint with their recommendations for a terminal emulator.
You can use a terminal emulator to connect to a router, switch, or firewall's CLI interface either over the network using Telnet or SSH protocols or over a serial line connected to the console of the device. The best way to manage the Cisco IOS is through a terminal emulator using the CLI. It might not be the most glamorous area of networking tools, but it's an essential tool that you must have to use the Cisco IOS command-line interface (CLI).Īccess the Cisco CLI with one of these five terminal emulators. This time, I want to focus on a core tool that many members mentioned they had to have - a terminal emulator. I've taken notes on all of the recommended products, and I'll be writing articles to introduce you to some of the lesser known - but very valuable - Cisco network management tools. Many of you chimed in with valuable suggestions. In a recent article, I discussed creating a definitive list of Cisco management tools that should be in every administrator's toolbox, and I asked for TechRepublic members' help ('What's the best Cisco router configuration and management tool?').