FE 0/1 Port on T1 Cisco Router

March 4, 2008 3:31 PM

My Cisco router at work (we have a T1) has a port in the back labeled "FE 0/0" that feeds to our switch and all our PCs. There's also a port (unused) labeled "FE 0/1". What's it for?

I tried running a network cable from it to a PC, and also to another router, but it doesn't seem to do anything. Can it somehow be used to run to another PC?

posted by notmydesk to computers & internet (5 comments total)

FastEthernet 0/0 and FastEthernet 0/1.

It is probably "shutdown" in the routers configuration. It can be used to connect a number of things, but will require configuration within the router.
posted by iamabot at 3:38 PM on March 4

Poop. Thanks.
posted by notmydesk at 3:42 PM on March 4

Yep, you want to be careful about just plugging that interface in anywhere really. It possible to create some very unpleasant situations with layer 2 looping if you're not careful
posted by iamabot at 3:58 PM on March 4

Yeah, it's FastEthernet -- and if you don't know what you're doing with Cisco routers, you might want to be careful plugging random cables into and out of one. But by all means, learn what you're doing -- Cisco routers (well, ANY access routers, but Ciscos specifically) are awesome and a great way to learn networking!
posted by delfuego at 5:40 PM on March 4

But by all means, learn what you're doing -- Cisco routers (well, ANY access routers, but Ciscos specifically) are awesome and a great way to learn networking!

Just don't do it with the in-production router at work. You can learn a lot just reading the PDFs at cisco.com. If that looks interesting, get a 2900 series switch from ebay, and learn that. Once you understand all the IOS, get a cheap expandable cisco router, and learn that.
posted by b1tr0t at 6:30 PM on March 4