Linux Access Server

This week I configured a Linux-based access server rather than purchasing a new router solely for that purpose. I recruited my wife's old HP Mini 1101 netbook she stopped using after she got her new 15" HP laptop. I wanted to configure a server that I could use to log into all devices out-of-band in the event of a layer 3 failure and for layer 2 only devices like frame-relay switches. Check out the specifications.

Server

• HP Mini 1101 (My wife's old netbook she no longer uses)
• 1GB RAM, Intel Atom, 160GB HDD
• Ubuntu 12.10 Server
• Openssh-Server (for remote server management)
• Xinetd Telnetd (for remote access to network equipment)
• Ser2net (server to network proxy)

*I disabled the default Ubuntu firewall for ease of use since I would be opening so many ports and because Linux based firewalls combined with SELinux seem to be a hassle at times. Plus my Vyatta Internet Router handles firewalling.

Console Hardware

• Sabrent 7-port USB Hub
• 7 RS232-Serial-to-USB Adapters
• 7 Cisco Console Cable

Port Mappings

• Access Server IP 192.168.1.141 (accessible over SSH or Tenet)
• Telnet 192.168.1.141:2000 (HQ Router)
• Telnet 192.168.1.141:2001 (HQ Switch 1)
• Telnet 192.168.1.141:2002 (HQ Switch 2)
• Telnet 192.168.1.141:2003 (HQ Access Switch)
• Telnet 192.168.1.141:2004 (Frame Relay Switch)
• Telnet 192.168.1.141:2005 (Branch Router 1)
• Telnet 192.168.1.141:2006 (Branch Router 2)

Pictures soon!