Cisco 857 + ADSL Please help

[dan]

Hi,

I've purchased a Cisco 857 router for a client as they wanted a more reliable modem. I've been playing with the 857 for a few days now and im frustrated to the point where I wish I hadn't chosen Cisco.

My company isnt a Cisco partner nor do I have any Cisco certifications, I have set up many routers and unusual network configurations in the past but always managed to get everything working without writing a forum post.

So brand new out of the box, no manuals or any documentation other than regulatory stuff. It came with a US style power cord thats useless to me. Luckly its just a standard figure8 lead but still not what I expected from Cisco and its a good job im not out somewhere on a client site without a spare.

Console cable is serial so had to use my old PC to configure the initial settings.

Set up my PC to use 10.10.10.0 network so I can connect to the web admin pages. These dont work initially as for some reason they require JRE installed on the PC. It loads up so far with the standard java included with IE but then gives a useless error message.

Why do I need to install Java to use a web interface? Why can't it just be pure HTML.

Eventually get into CP express and set everything up, DHCP pool, ADSL details etc. All is going well. ADSL appears to connect CD light is solid and the RX D and TXD LED's are flashing intermittently. No way in CP express to see the status, speed, IP or anything to do with the ADSL connection. Its all absolute minimum functionality. Switched my PC's configuration back to DHCP and get a lease from the pool all looks good but no internet access.

I've tried altering DNS settings but no joy, still get no route out to the internet.

Thought id check and see if there are any firmware upgrades available but cant download anything as I dont have permissions on cisco.com to get full support for the product.

Cisco said:

Hi Dan,

Thank you for your email.

The Partner Initiated Commerce Access program (PICA) is designed to allow Cisco Partners to give their end customers access to certain Cisco resources. PICA numbers and verification keys are generated, managed, and controlled exclusively by Cisco Partners. Only these companies can issue PICA numbers. To get access to the program, you will have to call your Cisco Distributor and ask if they participate in the program. If they do, ask to be transferred to the PICA Admin. Thanks.

Best Regards,

Sunny

WW-Customer Interaction Network

Cisco Technical Assistance Center

Business hours: Monday-Friday 09:00am-03:00pm GMT+8

I've forwarded this to eBuyer as an eTicket and had no response. Tried calling eBuyer and noone seems to know what PICA is.

First question is how do I do a dump of the configuration file so I can post it up here? Cant find an option in CP express to do this so im assuming its via telnet?

Thanks,

Dan

[dan]

Im way grateful of all your help, its just that the amount of time we've spent trying to get this going is crazy.  As a small business I just can't afford to do this.

Ive just noticed that the supplier no longer stocks the 857.. yet they had 200 in stock last week when I bought it. I'm wondering if they've been removed from stock for some reason. I'll contact them tomorrow and find out.

I'll try those last commands but like I said, its unfeasible to use Cisco if its this difficult to set them up. The support of them, ie.: firmware upgrades is also a worry if they are not available to me. If only I could flash this thing with DD-WRT.

Dan

[dan]

Dont feel bad. My point is that we shouldnt have to poke and prod it for hours until it works. Its an ADSL modem so out of the box it should just work. Its fine, I really can't do a goto meeting as I only have 1 adsl line here. Its a nuisence as I have to take everyone offline while I try it on the line. Im getting moaned at for taking it offline so much!

[mterlikcisco]

I do not see the DNS spec in your DHCP pool

ip dhcp pool Default

   import all

   network 192.168.1.0 255.255.255.0

   default-router 192.168.1.1

Try add your ISP dns or use some global like google 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4

Router(config)#ip dhcp pool Default

Router(dhcp-config)# dns-server address 8.8.8.8 8.8.4.4

Router(dhcp-config)#exit

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/docs/ios/12_2/ip/configuration/guide/1cfdhcp.html#wp1000999

And as you know already Cisco hardware and IOS is much powerful than other network "toys" so it is usually not plug and play equipment due to variety of configurations.

Regards

M