Router Banner Configuration

A banner is a message that is presented to someone using the router. The type of banner you configure determines when this message is shown to the user. You can configure three main types of banners on a Cisco router.

• Message of the Day (MOTD): This type of logon message has been around for a long time on Unix and mainframe systems. The idea was to display a temporary notice to users, such as issues with system availability.

  
  

  However, because it displays when you connect to the device prior to login, most network administrators now use it to display legal notices regarding access to the router, such as unauthorized access to this device is prohibited and violators will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

  
  



• Login: This banner displays before login to the system but after the MOTD banner is displayed. Typically, this banner displays a permanent message to users.

  
  



• Exec: This banner displays after the login is completed when the connecting user enters User EXEC mode. Whereas the other banners are seen by all people who attempt to connect to the router, this banner is seen only by users who successfully log on to the router. This banner can be used to post reminders to network administrators.

  
  

To configure each of these banners, examine the following commands, which set all three banners up on your router:

Router2(config)#banner motd #
Enter TEXT message. End with the character '#'.
This device is for authorized personnel only.
If you have not been provided with permission to
access this device - disconnect at once.
#
Router2(config)#banner login #
Enter TEXT message. End with the character '#'.
*** Login Required. Unauthorized use is prohibited ***
#
Router2(config)#banner exec #
Enter TEXT message.  End with the character '#'.
*** Ensure that you update the system configuration ***
*** documentation after making system changes.      ***
#
Router2(config)#exit

Notice that each of the banner lines ends with a hash symbol (#) to delimit the end of the message. You can specify any character you want, but you will be using it to end the banner message. Here is what these messages look like when you connect to the router:

Router2 Con0 is now available
Press RETURN to get started!
This device is for authorized personnel only.
If you have not been provided with permission to
access this device - disconnect at once.
*** Login Required.  Unauthorized use is prohibited ***
User Access Verification
Password:
*** Ensure that you update the system configuration ***
*** documentation after making system changes.      ***
Router2>

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Source:http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/router-banner-configuration.html