How to Install Cisco SDM (Security Device Manager)
Cisco SDM (Security Device Manager) is a great application that allows you to manage Cisco Routers web-based. You can configure the Routers on your network by installing this program on your host computer or a virtual machine.
What is Cisco SDM?
You typically use CLI (Command Prompt) when configuring a Cisco router. However, if you are not familiar with Cisco commands, you can easily configure your device using the SDM application developed to manage the Router through a web browser.
SDM software is available in two versions. These;
Express Package
The Express Pack is a package with limited features that allows you to perform more basic operations.
Full Package
The Full Packet allows you to configure basic and advanced settings for the Cisco router. For example, you can configure LAN and WAN connections, enable VPN, and also configure the Firewall.
In short, you can enable or configure many features using this software. You can use the CLI command prompt when your software is limited.
When you purchase a new router, you can see the SDM Setup CD/DVD among the equipment on the side. Also, on different Cisco models, this software comes preloaded. Java Runtime versions 1.5 or 1.6 are required for installation. The software does not work properly in current Java versions.
Required Programs
First of all, download Cisco SDM V2.5, Java, and Router IOS c3725 image from the following buttons.
SDM V2.5 Download
Java JRE-6u17 Download
c3725 Download
How to Install the Management Software on a Router Using GNS3
You need to add one Router to GNS3 for installation. Then, you must insert a Flash Disk and format the disk with the erase command before running the Router.
Now, follow the steps below to install and configure SDM on Cisco Router.
Step 1
After opening GNS3, create a new project for SDM.
Step 2
After you have added the c3725 IOS image you downloaded from the above button, drag and drop the Router into the workspace.
Step 3
Add one Switch and Host to the GNS3 workspace and then wire the devices. And then configure the adapter setting of the VMware virtual machine and Host1 as the VMnet you created on the Virtual Network Editor.
Step 4
After right-clicking on the router, click configuration.
Step 5
Click Memories and Disks to add a Flash disk to the router.
Step 6
Click on PCMCIA disk0: and configure the disk size.
Step 7
After configuring the size of the Flash Disk, click the OK button to save your setting.
Step 8
Start the router and create a new user and enable the http/https protocols by following the commands at the CLI prompt.
R1# conf t
R1(config)# interface FastEthernet 0/0
R1(config-if)# ip address 192.168.8.1 255.255.255.0
R1(config-if)# no shutdown
R1(config)# ip http server
R1(config)# ip http secure-server
R1(config)# ip http authentication local
R1(config)# line vty 0 4
R1(config-line)# login local
R1(config-line)# transport input telnet ssh
R1(config-line)# exit
R1(config)# username sysnettechsolutions privilege 15 password 123456
R1(config)# end
R1# wr
Step 9
After executing the commands, save the settings you made the wr command and check the settings with show running-config.
Step 10
In the following image, you can see that a certificate has created for the https protocol.
Step 11
Check that the http protocol enabled for administration via the web browser.
Step 12
Now open the VMware virtual adapter settings created on your host computer and configure the TCP/IP settings as follows.
Step 13
Likewise, change the TCP/IP settings on your VMware virtual machine as follows and in addition select the VMnet you created from the Custom network option.
Configure the IP block of VMnet3 that you created on Virtual Network Editor as 192.168.8.0/24.
Step 14
Copy the Java JRE and SDM setup files you downloaded to your computer to the virtual machine.
Step 15
Run the Java JRE setup file as an administrator.
Step 16
After installing Java JRE, open the settings in the control panel.
Step 17
After opening the Java Control Panel, enter in the Runtime Parameter section of the Java / User tab and click OK.
Step 18
Execute the show file system command on the router and check the size of Flash. As you can see in the image below, flash is not ready now.
Step 19
If you do not format the Flash Disk, you will get a no disk space error when installing SDM. Therefore, run the erase flash: command in privileged mode.
Step 20
Check the status of the Flash Disk again with the command show file system.
Step 21
Now run the SDM setup file on your virtual machine or computer.
Step 22
Click Next in the Installation Wizard window.
Step 23
Select I accept the license agreement and then click Next.
Step 24
The installation options window asks where to install the SDM program. Select the Cisco Router option and click Next.
Step 25
In the Router Authentication window, type the FastEthernet 0/0 IP address of the Router, the user name and password you created, and click Next.
Step 26
Wait while Setup connects to the Cisco Router.
Step 27
Continue with the Typical option in the Finish Installation Options window.
Step 28
In the Components window, select both options as follows and click Next.
Step 29
In the Ready to install program window, click Install.
Step 30
Preparing installation …
Step 31
Wait while the SDM is copied to the Router.
Step 32
After the installation is complete, select Launch SDM and click Finish.
Step 33
When the Internet Explorer web browser opens as soon as you click Finish, check Don’t use recommended settings and click OK.
Step 34
Click the Enable button at the bottom of the browser to confirm the operation of the Plug-in.
Step 35
Continue by clicking the Continue to this website option.
Step 36
Enter the user name and password you created to connect to the Cisco Router Security Device Manager on this screen.
Step 37
Click OK again to log in.
Step 38
When a browser compatibility error such as the following appears, click OK directly and go to the next step.
Step 39
From the browser developer options, set the browser compatibility mode to version 7. If you encounter a Popup Blocker error, go to the next step.
Step 40
Click on the Privacy tab in Internet Explorer and disable it if the Turn on Pop-up Blocker option is enabled as follows.
Step 41
Click OK to change the setting.
Step 42
Reopen the Internet Explorer features, and then click the compatibility view option.
Step 43
In the compatibility view window that opens, add the 192.168.8.1 IP address to the compatibility list.
Step 44
Select Always trust content from this publisher to access the router’s management interface and click Yes.
Step 45
In the Java Authentication Required window, enter the account information you created.
Step 46
Click OK to log in.
Step 47
Enable the option again in the same error window and click the Run button.
Step 48
In the Security Alert window, click the Allow Access button.
Step 49
Wait while the Cisco Router and Security Device Manager (SDM) opens.
Step 50
It is sent the settings of the Cisco Router to the software.
Step 51
SDM software installed on the router successfully!
Video
Final Word
Nowadays, you can easily manage many Routers or Switches on a web-based basis without using CLI. Please note that you can manage older Cisco models with this software. Thanks for following us!
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