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

Download

   Java JRE-6u17 Download

Download

   c3725 Download

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
Copy

   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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