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May 2006

Macbook Pro USB to Serial GUC232A

Fri, 2006-05-12 07:56

This is a pretty specific post for me - sorry if it does not apply. I've recently purchased an Intel-based 17" MacBook Pro and have an IOGear GUC232A USB to Serial converter I use for my console connections to Cisco routers that I've had a heck of a time getting working. BUT, I've finally conquered and wanted to write the steps I performed to aleviate the time spent if I have to do this again:
1. Download the LATEST driver from Prolific (http://www.prolific.com.tw/eng/downloads.asp?ID=31 - download the file md_pl2303H_HX_X_dmg_v1.2.1.zip)
2. Run through the install, reboot
3. The Prolific is a generic driver that works with the GUC232A, so you have to tweek it:

  • Plug the GUC232A into any available USB port on your Mac
  • Open the System Profiler, in /Application -> Utilites
  • Click USB in the Contents pane
  • Select the GUC232A in the Device Tree; usually it will be listed under USB-Serial Controller

Walking in the World of NBAR

Tue, 2006-05-16 04:47

Not many people know this, but if your Cisco router is running a recent (within the last 3 years or so) IOS version, it comes with a built-in, application-layer packet sniffing application called Network Based Application Recognition (NBAR). This utility was originally designed for the world of Quality of Service (QoS), but is now used for many different capabilities. Try this:

On your router, access the interface connected to the Internet and type the command ip nbar protocol-discovery. That will enable your packet-sniffing application. Now, exit back out to privileged mode and type the command show ip nbar protocol-discovery stats bit-rate top-n 10.

Cisco Tips and Tricks Presentation

Wed, 2006-05-17 19:29

Just last night, I gave a presentation to the Phoenix Cisco User Group (PCUG) called Cisco Routers and Switches: Tools, Tips and Tricks You Never Knew. It was fantastic! Everyone jumped in with their own tips they found in their experience. Very cool time.
Anyhow, I thought I'd post the presentation I used in PDF format. It may give you a good flow if you'd like to do a presentation for your own, local Cisco user group in your area. Not to mention the cool tips you can grab from this :). If you have anything to add to the list, tack it on to this post! It'd be a great place to start a common thread of these things.
Click here to download the May 16th PCUG presentation in PDF format.

Security Tools Galore

Wed, 2006-05-31 13:45

I'm working on recording a security video series right now and came across this link: http://www.insecure.org/tools.html. Can we say ROCK ON?!? This is a list of the top 75 security tools you can use to audit your network. This is guarentees at least two months of tinkering around with these widgets. My top 5 are:
#1 Ethereal (the ol' standby)
#2 Nessus (be your own auditing company)
#3 NMap (port scanning galore)
#4 Netcat (port redirection & general hacking widget)
#5 Snort (free IDS)



Dr. Radut