I have a 2501 router that i bought from an auction to study from for my CCNA exam. It didnt come with an IOS image file in Flash so it boots up from ROM using a subset of the CISCO IOS with minimal configuration options. Router(boot)> The router didnt come with any cables so i got the specs from cisco.com and made a console port cable by taking apart and putting together cables that i had at home. My question is that will i be able to load an IOS image file from the console port? The router does have an ethernet port (DB-15) but finding a connector that would enable me to go that route is hard to find. I would build one but cisco.com does not give the pinouts for a DB-15 to RJ-45. 2501 Cisco Router 2 Serial Ports 1 AUX 1 AUI 1 Console 8 mb in Flash free I bought this router solely for the purpose of studying and i was able to get a hold of the image file. I also have the TFTP server software from cisco. Whats the easiest way of loading the software on this router? Any help is appreciated, thanks in advance..

The answer to your first question is yes. You can xmodem over the console port your copy of IOS.BIN. http://www.cisco.com/univercd/cc/td/doc/product/access/acs_fix/cis2500/2501/2500ug/pin.htm should give you a start on your DB15 - RJ45 cabling problem. As to how to do it, get a book on CCNA and do web searches for Cisco help/forum sites (I have 28 seperate Cisco web pages and 19 other Cisco help sites bootmarked). I know this sounds harsh, but only you know your current level of comprehension, your setup and your capabilities. By doing the reading and searches yourself, you will find what works best for you. There's alot of stuff out there. One site I will mention is r1r2.com, as it can be hard to find out about. What worked best for me was paying for an instructor led course. Then expanding on that knowledge with hands on work. Good luck, and remember that a paper CCNA isn't worth the paper. Been there, still doing it.

Thanks for the help. I do have bout 4 different books on the CCNA program. Ive tried routersims but i spent more time trying find and download their patches than i did for studying. I have taken an intructor led course and found out that i could learn more reading from the book. The xmodem is what i was looking for but i did get a hold of a transceiver also. Youve been helpfull, thanks.