Cisco Networking: Banner Configuration

A banner is a message presented to a user who is using the Cisco switch. The type of banner you configured for use determines when this message is shown. You can configure three main types of banners on your Cisco switch, as shown here:

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

  
  

  However, because the message displays when a user connects to the device prior to login, most network administrators are now using it to display legal notices regarding access to the switch, such as unauthorized access to this device is prohibited and violators will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law and other such cheery endearments.

  
  



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

  
  



• Exec: This banner displays after the login is complete when the connecting user enters User EXEC mode. Whereas all users who attempt to connect to the switch see the other banners, only users who successfully log on to the switch see this banner, which can be used to post reminders to your network administrators.

  
  

To configure each of these banners and set them up on your switch, follow these commands:

Switch1>enable
Switch1#configure terminal
Enter configuration commands, one per line.  End with CNTL/Z.
Switch1(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.
#
Switch1(config)#banner login #
Enter TEXT message. End with the character '#'.
*** Login Required. Unauthorized use is prohibited ***
#
Switch1(config)#banner exec #
Enter TEXT message.  End with the character '#'.
*** Ensure that you update the system configuration ***
*** documentation after making system changes.      ***
#
Switch1(config)#exit

Notice that each of the banner lines ends with a # symbol; this is a delimiter to identify the end of the message. You can specify any character you want, but the character you choose is the one you will use to end the banner message. Here is what these messages look like when you connect to the switch:

Switch1 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.      ***
Switch1>

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