As we all know by default there are no limitations on the size of password length in a Cisco router. Sometimes this may leads to a security risk. You can also configure a password with a single character in a Cisco Router.

Cisco Systems introduced a command to force the minimum length of password starting with an IOS version 12.3 (1). By default the length should be 6 characters, but you can change the default length.

To configure the minimum password length in your Cisco Router, use the following commands.

ITKERouter01#configure terminal
ITKERouter01 (config)#security passwords min-length 8

After entering the above command if you try to configure the enable secret to itke as shown the below, following error message will be displayed in your Cisco Router

 ITKERouter01 (config)#enable secret itke

 % Password too short – must be at least 8 characters. Password configuration failed
 ITKERouter01 (config)#

Even if you try to configure the local username and password you find the same error.

ITKERouter01 (config)#username yasir secret cisco

 % Password too short – must be at least 8 characters. Password configuration failed
 ITKERouter01 (config)#

I would recommed you to enable this feautre in your Cisco Router for better security.

I am writing this article to answer the question  for establishing the trunking between a Cisco Catalyst Switch and a 3Com Super Stack Switch in ITKE community.

The goal of the article is show the user how to configure an inter operable trunk port in both Cisco and 3 Com Switch. As far as trunking concepts are concerned I did posted an article in ITKE blog comparing the HP Procurve and a Cisco Catalyst Switches which help to understand the trunking methodologies applied in 3 Com and Cisco Switches.

In order understand the configuration process easily I present a scenario, based on this scenario we will configure the Cisco and 3 Com Switches to meet the objectives.

In this example 

·         A Cisco Catalyst Switch is connected to a 3-Com Super Stack 4200 Switch (3-Com Super stack 3300 configuration is also available as the configuration process defers in a 3300 Switch)) using a port fast /Giga Ethernet 1 in both the Switches.

·         Create two VLANS locally in both the Cisco Catalyst Switch and a 3-Com Super Stack 4200.

1.       VLAN 100 – For Workstations (named PCS).

2.       VLAN 200- For Servers and Management Devices (Named MANG).

·         Configure fast Ethernet 0/1 on both the Cisco Catalyst Switch and a 3-Com Super Stack 4200 as 802.1 q trunking port.

Cisco Catalyst Switch Configuration Example

Task 1 – Create VLANS

ITKE-Cisco#configure t

Enter configuration commands, one per line.  End with CNTL/Z.

ITKE-Cisco(config)#vlan 100

ITKE-Cisco(config-vlan)#name PCS   

ITKE-Cisco(config-vlan)#exit

ITKE-Cisco(config)#vlan 200

ITKE-Cisco(config-vlan)#name MANG

Task 2 – Configure the port fastethernet 0/1 as 802.1 q trunk port.

ITKE-Cisco(config)#interface fastEthernet 0/1

ITKE-Cisco(config-if)#description Connected to 3-COM Switch

ITKE-Cisco(config-if)#switchport trunk encapsulation dot1q

ITKE-Cisco(config-if)#switchport mode trunk

ITKE-Cisco(config-if)#no shutdown

ITKE-Cisco(config-if)#

Task 3 – Configure the ports fastethernet 0/5 for VLAN 100 and fastethernet 0/10 for VLAN 200.

ITKE-Cisco(config)#interface fastEthernet 0/5

ITKE-Cisco(config-if)#description Connected to PC

ITKE-Cisco(config-if)#switchport mode access

ITKE-Cisco(config-if)#switchport access vlan 100

ITKE-Cisco(config)#interface fastEthernet 0/10

ITKE-Cisco(config-if)#description Connected to SERVER

ITKE-Cisco(config-if)#switchport mode access

ITKE-Cisco(config-if)#switchport access vlan 200

3-Com Super Stack 4200 Switch Configuration Example (Configuration steps are as per the 3-Com Advance configuration manual – not tested).

Task 1 – Create VLANS and add ports Giga Ethernet 0/5 for VLAN 100 and Giga Ethernet 0/10 for VLAN 200

<SwitchB> system-view

[SwitchB] vlan 100

[SwitchB-vlan100] description PCS

[SwitchB-vlan100] port GigabitEthernet 1/0/5

[SwitchB-vlan100] quit

Create VLAN 200, and add GigabitEthernet1/0/10 to VLAN 200.

[SwitchB] vlan 200

[SwitchB-vlan200] description MANG

[SwitchB-vlan200] port GigabitEthernet 1/0/10

[SwitchB-vlan200] quit

Task 2 – Configure the port Gigaethernet 1/0/1 as a trunk port.

[SwitchB] interface GigabitEthernet 1/0/1

[SwitchB-GigabitEthernet1/0/1] port link-type trunk

3-Com Super Stack 3300 Switch Configuration Example.

Task 1 – Create VLANS

Select menu option (bridge/vlan): create

Select VLAN ID (2-4094)[3]: 100

Enter VLAN Name [VLAN 10]: PCS

Select menu option (bridge/vlan): create

Select VLAN ID (2-4094)[3]: 200

Enter VLAN Name [VLAN 11]: MANG

Task 2 – Configure the port fastethernet 0/1 as 802.1 q trunk port

Select VLAN ID (1-2,) [1]: 100 – 200

Select bridge ports (AL1-AL4,unit:port…,?): 1:1

Enter tag type (untagged,tagged): tagged

Task 3 – Configure the ports Giga Ethernet 0/5 for VLAN 100 and Giga Ethernet 0/10 for VLAN 200

Select menu option (bridge/vlan/modify): add

Select VLAN ID (1-2,)[1]: 100

Select bridge ports (AL1-AL4,unit:port…,?): 1:5

Enter tag type (untagged, tagged): untagged

Select menu option (bridge/vlan/modify): add

Select VLAN ID (1-2,)[1]: 200

Select bridge ports (AL1-AL4,unit:port…,?): 1:10

Enter tag type (untagged, tagged): untagged

I am really thankful to IT KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE for providing me an opportunity to blog with them; it’s my privilege to be associated with IT KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE. I learned a lot while blogging to this wonderful knowledge portal. It’s the vigorous support and guidance from the team of IT KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE encourages any individual to be the part of this great portal. I would siege this opportunity to thank Brent Sheets the community manager, Jenny Mackintosh  and Sean Brooks.

I hope to be continuing my journey with IT KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE.

Cheers

Yasir Irfan

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