How to Configure Telnet on Cisco Routers and Switches

Telnet is used to remotely connect to Cisco devices via IP over a network rather than having to connect to the devices locally using a console cable. To configure telnet on a Cisco device, first plug in a console cable from the device to a PC then open a terminal application (this is assuming that telnet is not configured on the device) and then press Enter and once a command prompt is displayed type ‘enable’ then type the password if requested. Next type ‘config t’ and press Enter to move to configuration mode. Then type ‘line vty 0 4’ to enable connections to the virtual terminal and press Enter. Then type login (while still in line mode) and press Enter then type ‘password xxxx’ replacing xxxx with the password you wish to program for telnet connections.