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Windows Vista: No HyperTerminal to Configure Cisco Routers Connected Via a Local COM Port

Posted by Vivek Gite [Last updated: August 5, 2008]

Recently I was hired to work on a Government project. They are 100% Microsoft shop expect for few Redhat boxes and Cisco gear.

They also have lots of customized VPN and cisco routers supplied by local company. Apart from securing those RHEL boxes, I had to connect routers / vpn devices via a local com port to upgrade BIOS and other configurations. They have Windows vista on all desktops and my Laptop has no serial port. So I decided to use old good HyperTerminal. I thought HyperTerminal is still under the Programs > Accessories > Communications menu. I failed to locate hypertrm.exe. From Microsoft support website:

HyperTerminal is no longer part of Windows. There are several options you can use to replace its functionality. If you previously used HyperTerminal to control serial devices, you can usually find a downloadable version of HyperTerminal on the Internet that is free for personal use.

So what was the purpose of removing Hyper terminal from vista ? How do you use the equivalent of Hyperterminal in XP, with Windows Vista to configure Cisco routers?

Get Putty to replace vista hyperterminal

Download and use open source putty terminal software. You can grab putty here.

Start Putty

Double click on putty > Select Serial > Type COM1 and speed rate such as 19200:
Putty as replacement for HyperTerinal under Windows Vista
(Fig. 01: Putty as replacement for HyperTerinal under Windows Vista)

Configure putty

You also need to setup other serial connection parameters by visiting category > serial menu on left side:
Configure putty for serial communication
(Fig. 02: Configure putty serial communication options)
Finally, just hit open button:
Putty under Windows Vista Connected to my Router / VPN
(Fig. 03: Windows Vista putty serial communication in action)

There you have it.

Other options for vista hyperterminal software

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Discussion on This Article:

  1. Si_4&a$=( Says:

    your screenshot can be better if you save in gif or (better) in png format.

    regards

  2. vivek Says:

    Thanks for feedback. Usually, I do use .png, but not sure if paint will support the same.

  3. Cisco Says:

    Thanks for post. It`s help me in job. Respect

  4. Balo Says:

    Hey,

    Thanks for this article. Just the other I found myself wanting to use my MS Vista-running laptop to configure a cisco router and was left befuddled as to where Hyperterminal was.

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