Configuring Access Servers

Although differences can exist in the configuration methodology needed for different platforms,
most steps are consistent and similar. Stated another way, commands for a Cisco access server
are different from those for a Shiva LanRover, but the functions are similar.
Router ports on remote access devices can terminate standard terminal emulation (exec
session)—sometimes thought of as a terminal or VT100 terminal—or a wide array of protocols
including PPP, SLIP, and ARAP (AppleTalk Remote Access Protocol). The type of
protocol used can be predefined by the administrator or automatically selected by the
router. This feature uses the
autoselect
command. When
autoselect
is not enabled,
the router will start an exec session on the line.
If
autoselect
is not used, the user can still start a session by using one of the other protocols,
but they will need to provide the command to start. With
autoselect
, the router can detect the
protocol flag value—0x7E for PPP, 0x10 for ARAP, and 0xC0 for SLIP. A carriage return is interpreted
as a request for an exec session.
For the remainder of this section, the PPP protocol will remain our focus.