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GNS3 : How to Use Putty Connection Manager for Console Access
Posted by Tariq Ahmad under GNS3 video tutorials , Graphical User Interface Applications[72] Comments
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In this tutorial, I will show you how you can setup your PuTTY Connection Manager (PuTTyCM) with GNS3. This will help you to manage all your cisco/network devices from single window. PuTTyCM is a great free utility that allows you manage PuTTY connections. It gives you the ability to create tabs and manage your connections in a much easier fashion.It gives you the power of Secure CRT absolutely FREE.
Here is what PuttyCM author says about it:
“PuTTY Connection Manager is a free PuTTY Client Add-on for Windows platforms which goal is to provide a solution for managing multiple PuTTY instances.”
Here are some of its best features(Directly from PuttCM website):
- Tabs and dockable windows for PuTTY instances.
- Fully compatible with PuTTY configuration (using registry).
- Easily customizable to optimize workspace (fullscreen, minimze to tray, add/remove toolbar, etc…).
- Automatic login feature regardless to protocol restrictions (user keyboard simulation).
- Post-login commands (execute any shell command when logged).
- Connection Manager : Manage a large number of connections with specific configuration (auto-login, specific PuTTY Session, post-command, etc…).
- Quick connect toolbar to quickly launch a PuTTY connection.
- Completely free for commercial and personal use : PuTTY Connection Manager is freeware.
You will need to create a database file yourself OR you can download the one i created for you here (RightClick and Save to your desktop)
Download Putty Connection Manager
Download Putty
Enjoy!
If you liked this tutorial ,don't hesitate to buy me a Cup of Coffee today !
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August 7th, 2008 at 1:25 pm
I have used puttytabs tool sometime back but had problems with it.Puttycm is simply the best.This was a much needed tutorial for me.Thanks !
August 10th, 2008 at 3:23 pm
i have watched the video every thing is great but i could not able to understand how to create console sessions
console 2000
console 2001
console 2002
console 2003…….
…….
console 2007
Please tell me with steps thanks.Good Work Done
August 10th, 2008 at 4:08 pm
Qamar, you don’t need to create Console sessions yourself. I have already created and uploaded database file for your help.You can find the link within the post.
Thanks!
August 28th, 2008 at 12:00 pm
thanks for gr8 tut.Can i use puttycm in ubuntu linux?
August 28th, 2008 at 5:15 pm
@Annie,I am glad you liked tutorial.There are multiple ways in which tabbed console sessions can be accessed in Ubuntu.One of them is to use SecureCRT (using Wine Emulator).Other and relatively easy way is to use Konsole application for multiple tab support in Ubuntu Linux.A good configuration guide can be found here :
http://downloads.sourceforge.net/gns-3/GNS3-0.5-tutorial.pdf?download
September 2nd, 2008 at 12:29 am
what’s the passphrase for the gns3sessions.dat?……..when i try toopen it….its askin for that…
September 2nd, 2008 at 7:58 am
There is no passphrase.Which program are you trying to open it in ?If you download and open this file in notepad/word, you will see that it is an XML configuration file for PuttyCM. You just need to load it into database of PuttyCM as i demonstrated in this tutorial and you are good to know.
Hope this helps.
September 18th, 2008 at 8:58 am
Hi, thanks for the great tutorial. The small things like this really do matter and save a lot of time when needing to do proper configuring.
Again, thanks for your time and input!
September 18th, 2008 at 10:56 am
Thomas,I am glad to hearback from you. Thanks for appreciation.
October 24th, 2008 at 8:23 am
Great tutorial, thanks!
Cuppajoe on the way!
October 28th, 2008 at 9:45 pm
Hi,
I am trying to look for the gns3session.dat file but cannot seem to find it. Can someone point me to that file pls ?
Thank you,
Cheers,
- InternetB -
November 1st, 2008 at 11:15 am
Great video, works fine. How can I setup Putty CM to use comm ports?
November 4th, 2008 at 10:53 am
Hey!
Thank you so very much for wat u’ve done dude. that’s the greatest thing i’ve seen since i got into this field.
Thanx a lot
November 5th, 2008 at 2:17 pm
Hi
Where can I find the connection manager database from the tutorial?
thanks
November 16th, 2008 at 6:22 pm
@Gnsuser, link is mentioned in tutorial.
November 16th, 2008 at 6:26 pm
Seems some people are finding it hard to locate PuttyCM database file link. Here , it is again for your convenience.
http://www.brainbump.net/download/gns3sessions.dat
November 16th, 2008 at 6:59 pm
@Wayo, You will need to select COM port using Putty Configuration Menu
November 21st, 2008 at 8:15 pm
Video is wonderful, but when I try it on my desktop nothing display on screen!!!
November 24th, 2008 at 2:32 pm
Hello,
I´m looking for the last week where to download puttycm, all web point to puttycm.free.fr but unfortunately it does not work anymore.
Could you please send me a copy to my email address or indicate a correct link where to download.
Thanks in advanced.
Edgar
December 7th, 2008 at 5:57 am
Hello All,
Can you please help me >
When ever I use Putty Connex Manager, both Operating system Windows Xp as well as Windows Vista.
Putty connextion manager does not respond. It takes a very long time,When I try to exit does, I have to end that process but does not work…
Pls help.. what do I do in order to Use Putty Connection manager,
Pls advise
December 11th, 2008 at 8:14 am
Hi! Thx for the tutorial. Just one problem, when i double click on Console 2000 in putty connection manager it says an unexpected error occured Unable to open connection. and then console window appears for my router but it is not inside connection manager. so i can connect to my routers but all in separate windows, kinda beats the purpose of doing it through the connection manager. can u plz tell me how i could fix it?
December 12th, 2008 at 7:57 pm
@Edgar,the link for puttycm is perfectly valid.For your convenience, here is the direct link:
PuTTY Connection Manager 0.6.0 beta Link
http://puttycm.free.fr/download/puttycm0.6.0.4822beta.exe
Thanks
December 12th, 2008 at 8:05 pm
@Mohd Aftab, i would suggest re-installing your version of Putty Connection manager.This should not be a problem.
December 12th, 2008 at 8:12 pm
@Jill, did you specify the path for PuttyCM in GNS3 as i showed in tutorial?
December 15th, 2008 at 8:02 am
@Mohd Aftab, i would suggest re-installing your version of Putty Connection manager.This should not be a problem.
Hello sir, Did the above but in vain. Can you please give me a link for the latest one Putty connex manager. Its not working properly. Please help
December 16th, 2008 at 3:07 pm
Yes, I specified the path exactly as you say. And the path works, because when i right click on one of the routers and choose Console the Puty Connection Manager Opens. The problem is when I click on Console 2000 inside Telnet folder in PuTTY Connection Manager, the error window appears: An unexpected error occured: Unable to open connection. And the puttycm log says: Runtime Error Unknown exception occured Main error: Unable to open connection. Internal error: Object reference not set to an instance of an object
Nevertheless the Console port window appears and i can configure the router. but the console port window appears not insode the Connection Manager. And if I try Console 2001 the same error window appears, and then another console port window appears. So I can configure my routers, just in separate windows. Plz tell me how i can fix it. Thanks
December 16th, 2008 at 3:19 pm
Also tried reinstalling Putty Connection Manager, nothing changed. still the same error, comes up.
December 16th, 2008 at 4:03 pm
found this on the forum:
getting this error when open any session
Postby rahul on Mon Aug 25, 2008 6:49 am
Log created on 25-Aug-08 12:12:53 PM
*** RUNTIME ERROR ***
Unknown exception occured
Main error : Unable to open connection
Internal error : Object reference not set to an instance of an object.
**********************
Re: getting this error when open any session
Postby PuTTYCM Admin on Wed Oct 22, 2008 8:09 am
This is fixed in the last alpha release (0.7.0.440)…
will try the alpha version and see if it’ll work
December 16th, 2008 at 4:15 pm
installed the alpha version and it solved the problem!
http://puttycm.free.fr/support/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=174
December 22nd, 2008 at 7:55 pm
@Jill, good to know that you got the solution.
Cheerz
December 22nd, 2008 at 7:57 pm
Aftab, as Jill suggested, installing alpha version for PuttyCM should solve your problem.
January 9th, 2009 at 11:07 am
Hi there,
First of all I am very grateful to you all as with the Help of GNS3 I have cleared my CCNP composite .
I did install the alpha version and am not able to connect it to putty CM.but when I right click to the router and click console putty open up and when I click Concole 2000 ,
I get the below error.
Request you all to kindly help me as I will be very happy using this tabbed version of it.
Below is the error
*****
09-01-2009 23:30:12:RUNTIME ERROR : Unknown exception occured
09-01-2009 23:30:12: Main error : Unable to open connection
09-01-2009 23:30:12: Internal error : Cannot access a disposed object.
Object name: ‘xb6e5bd3523128419′.
09-01-2009 23:30:12: StackTrace :
09-01-2009 23:30:12: at System.Windows.Forms.Control.CreateHandle()
at System.Windows.Forms.Form.CreateHandle()
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.get_Handle()
at x23c0b95aec8780bc.x42c74692b6085048.set_xf2d5fc55222f47fc(xf2d5fc55222f47fc xbcea506a33cf9111)
at x23c0b95aec8780bc.x42c74692b6085048.x35579b297303ed43(xf2d5fc55222f47fc x34e01d4f336c3065, x84540e03ce98290f xbe45600ae58334aa)
at x23c0b95aec8780bc.x42c74692b6085048.x35579b297303ed43(xf2d5fc55222f47fc x34e01d4f336c3065)
at x23c0b95aec8780bc.x4c612b16837930f0.x35579b297303ed43(xf2d5fc55222f47fc x34e01d4f336c3065)
at xa594b13ff9f20cff.x9aed31df7a5d27af.xca0d2c3389058999(x34113cdbef848383 x7316af229433e69e)
at x48b98d898b67428b.x1521d5c1a2ad9cb1.x84a46dc89a9c670f(x455a493baa170747 x7316af229433e69e, Boolean xd21fc4af495ac96e)
January 23rd, 2009 at 11:22 am
HI all,
I did the above and it helped me a little.
I did install the alpha version and when i telnet the router, The putty opens up and when I hit the console 2000 tab, I just get to see a notepad . .puttycm.log
What do i do? pls advise,,,,
January 23rd, 2009 at 11:24 am
23-01-2009 23:46:01:RUNTIME ERROR
23-01-2009 23:46:01: Main error : Unable to attach PuTTY process
23-01-2009 23:46:01: Internal error : Cannot access a disposed object.
Object name: ‘Panel’.
23-01-2009 23:46:01: StackTrace :
23-01-2009 23:46:01: at System.Windows.Forms.Control.CreateHandle()
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.get_Handle()
at x27ff2efaaecf5a1c.xb6e5bd3523128419.get_x47b4b7676d443acd()
at x48b98d898b67428b.x1521d5c1a2ad9cb1.x1248f643d518e66f(x6f302b004bee2deb x69e8923140f2b0a6, xb6e5bd3523128419 xd617aefdd9defbf0)
January 30th, 2009 at 2:34 am
Not sure this is the right place for the query.
I am using Putty and PuttyCM while moving from one wireless AP to other AP there is a connection break thus i loose my Putty sessions.
is there any way to stop this
March 26th, 2009 at 3:51 am
It’s cool!!!!!
Thank you!!!
April 4th, 2009 at 3:38 am
I wasted money on SecureCRT just to know that PuttyCM can be a free invaluable tool.I wish i could have found your tutorial earlier.Thanks indeed!
April 6th, 2009 at 7:12 pm
Hello,
Thanks for this wonderful website and great tutorials, really appreciate all your hard work. Is there a way to save configs using PuttyCM. I was able to save configs before using just Putty, but for whatever reason I cannot save configs using PuttyCM. Thanks again for your great tutorial/website.
April 7th, 2009 at 9:03 am
@John,I am not sure what you meant exactly by saving configs.Putty/PuttyCM/SecureCRT are just tools and you can always save your device configurations using ‘write mem’ regardless of tool used.
If you meant to save Console setting configs in PuttyCM , yes you can.If you have downloaded gns3sessions.dat file mentioned in this post,you can modify it as per your requirement and load it into PuttyCM database.It will always be loaded and saved as per your custom requirement.
Hope that answers your questions.Thanks
April 7th, 2009 at 9:36 am
Hello Tariq –
Thanks for your response. Before I came across this tutorial, I used only Putty for console access from GNS3. I saved my configs for all devices, including topology, by following procedure found on blindhog.net.
1. Open GNS3
2. Start a lab with objects (routers, pix, switches, etc)
3. Click ‘File > New Project’ instead of ‘File > Save’.
4. Make sure ‘Export Router Configuration Files’ and ‘Keep working directory files’ are checked.
5. Click ‘Yes’ to Apply project settings to the current topology.
I stopped using Putty directly and started using PuttyCM. I am using gns3sessions.dat. Everything is working great, except I follow the above procedure to save configs and nothing gets saved. The lab topology gets saved, but not the configs.
April 7th, 2009 at 9:53 am
John, now i got what you are saying.I have/had similar problem with GNS3 when i started using GNSv0.6. I didn’t face such problem before.Can you please verify that if you use Putty again, are you able to save configs in that case?Having said that, I feel this problem is GNS3-ish related and not related to Putty/PuttyCM.
I will post my findings tomorrow.
Thanks.
April 7th, 2009 at 10:32 am
Hello Tariq –
You are right. I am indeed using GNS3 v0.6. When I revert back to just using Putty, I am able to save configs with no issues what so ever. Thanks again for your quick response.
April 8th, 2009 at 5:20 am
Hello Tariq –
I figured out what I was doing wrong. I was not saving configs on the devices by either doing ‘wr’ or ‘wr mem’; ugh. I am back to using PuttyCM using your DB file and its working without any flaws. Thanks again for all your help and please accept my apologies for wasting your valuable time; you could be doing more tutorials like this
April 8th, 2009 at 7:12 am
John,Good to know that.Currently,i am embarking on a journey towards my CCIE Voice Lab in June so,pardon me if i don’t update this site too often.
Thanks for your invaluable comments
April 11th, 2009 at 4:04 am
I have try watch tutorial several times but it can’t load so I can’t see it, pls help
April 11th, 2009 at 4:57 am
Congtc,it will take some time for loading bar to complete depending on your Internet Speed,normally,complete tutorial gets loaded in less than 20 sec.Try again ! Make sure Flash Player is installed on your end!
Cheerz!
May 15th, 2009 at 1:38 am
Thanks a lot for your efforts! You have fixed a long-lasting problem of mine? Thanks so much?
May 29th, 2009 at 8:53 am
hello, Good Tutorial and nice effort.Appreciate the good help provided here.
I seem to have problem here my configuration of Putty Connection Manager is giving error.
********************************************
The connection manager isn’t up when i console to any Routers. It gives error when i console. The belove provided puttycm.txt .
And once connection mangaer is manually up and i try to telnet it gives the error
( CONNECTION MANAGER
NO SUCH HOST )
**********************************************
———————————————
puttycm.txt
Log created on 5/29/2009 8:12:38 PM
*** RUNTIME ERROR ***
Unable to find PuTTY registry key : \\HKCU\Software\SimonTatham\PuTTY\Sessions
Main error : Error getting subkey names
Internal error : Missing subkey in registry
**********************
Log created on 5/29/2009 8:12:38 PM
*** RUNTIME ERROR ***
Unable to find PuTTY registry key : \\HKCU\Software\SimonTatham\PuTTY\Sessions
Main error : Error getting subkey names
Internal error : Missing subkey in registry
————————————————
my .net file topology
autostart = false
model = 3725
ghostios = true
sparemem = false
mmap = true
[localhost]
[[3725]]
ram = 128
idlepc = 0x6148b594
image = \program files\Dynamips\images\C3725-AD.bin
[[Router SW1]]
slot1 = NM-16ESW
slot2 = NM-1FE-TX
fa1/0 = PC1 fa1/0
fa1/1 = PC2 fa1/1
#fa1/2 = PC3 fa1/2
#fa1/3 = PC4 fa1/3
fa1/4 = R1 fa2/0
[[Router R1]]
slot1 = NM-16ESW
slot2 = NM-1FE-TX
[[Router PC1]]
slot1 = NM-16ESW
[[Router PC2]]
slot1 = NM-16ESW
————————————————
i have provided my .net file and windows_console.dat file that i have created below.
Any suggestions are welcome. Thank you. Regards.
June 3rd, 2009 at 11:44 pm
Dear Ananth Kumar,
Try to re-install PuttyCM.I had experienced similar problems with beta version of PuttyCM out there.Upgrading to new stable release should solve this issue.
Thanks
June 17th, 2009 at 5:34 pm
Hello,
I am following your instructions in the tuturial, to the letter. The problem I am having is this. When I try to access any router console,
I receive the following error: Windows can not find – F:\Program, Make sure you typed the name correctly. Now it is refering to the path info that was enter in the “Terminal Command” input box. The path info that I input to this field, was cut/pasted for the desktop icon created by the install program. I can start the Connection Manager from my desktop w/out any problems. I am also using Beta version 0.6.0 of the Conn. Mgr.
Any Ideals as to what is going on
Thanks,
Nate
July 2nd, 2009 at 2:31 am
Hello Tariq,
Thanks for the wondeful tutorial. I did had issues earlier but not is works fine.
Infact the tutorial was awesome.
What about your CCIE voice >
Have you got it ? All the very best for it and do update it about your progress.
GNS3 is just awesome. I compelted my CCNA , CCNP and now looking for CCIP.
Its really inspiring from all the tutorial and
the very good work done by you All.
Many Thanks for everything.
Mohd Aftab
July 5th, 2009 at 7:20 pm
how to create tap win-32 v8 adapter in windows XP SP2
August 11th, 2009 at 4:03 pm
Tariq
I have managed to use PuttyCM a few times but I am finding that a small window saying “PuTTy Connection Manger Applcation already started” keeps coming up (without the PuttyCM GUI) when I click the PuttyCM icon on my desktop or if I console in from GNS3. I cannot console into my projects that I have worked on for hours.I would very much appreciate your advice on this please.
September 12th, 2009 at 10:01 am
I’ve watched the tutorial and am still having some problems.
1) When connecting to the router via console, Putty kicks in and seems to connect with the message:
Connected to Dynamips VM “R0″ (ID 0, type c2600) – Console port
But then thats it, nothing else happens???
2) When trying to connect to a second router using console 2001, nothing happens?
Is there something im doing wrong????
Thanks
October 3rd, 2009 at 8:29 pm
I also encountered the same problem as experienced by Stuart and John.
Is this issue within GNS3 v0.6.1?
I haven’t rolled back to the older version yet.
Please advise. Thanks. Btw, great video!!!
October 8th, 2009 at 3:11 am
Thanks for the tutorial!
I have an issue though – when Puttycm loads up and I attempt to connect using the session from the database it can’t connect to anything. The window opens up momentarily and then disappears. I’ve checked that the base port in GNS3 is 2000 and it is. Any ideas?
Cheers,
December 10th, 2009 at 1:18 pm
I have a topo of 6 router and have set the settings up identical to tutorial but when i launch a console from GNS3 i get error messages:12/10/2009 2:11:04 PM:Unable to find PuTTY sessions (registry key ‘HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\SimonTatham\PuTTY\Sessions’ does not exist)
When i open the puttycm application i see the loaded db and i can connect to the first few routers. However when i connect to the others it will open a session and immediately close it. I have even tried to add the path in the reg. Please advise. Thanks for all the great info.
December 10th, 2009 at 1:27 pm
OK, i just figured out that if you run a netstat -a you will a list of the ports that you will need to make the connections. the ports on the session file are in consecutive order -2000,2001,2002,2003… In the netstat -a I found the other ports- 2000,2001, 2002, 2003, 2012, 2013… Once i changed the GNS2SessionDB to the corresponding ports it worked. Hope that helps. Cheers!
December 17th, 2009 at 2:03 pm
thanks for gr8 tu
January 2nd, 2010 at 4:23 pm
Create Console Sessions.
Sorry to be so dense, but I can’t figure it out.
I go here
http://www.brainbump.net/download/gns3sessions.dat
and there is a script. What do I do next please.
January 2nd, 2010 at 7:09 pm
@Everyone,thanks for comments.I couldn’t reply back due to time constraints earlier.Hope you guys have figured things out on your own;)
@Raphael,Download this file(right-click and save to your PC) and load it into PuttyCM Database(shown in tutorial).Its not mandatory but if you have to manage multiple devices,this will help you keep track of inventory(devices) in your lab.
January 8th, 2010 at 1:33 am
Please let me know how to open multiple tabs in puttycm using script/command line interface from one terminal…..\
Thanks!!!
February 10th, 2010 at 10:15 pm
I tried out everything in your tutorial as mentioned. But for some reason it shows me that the application already started. How do I fix this error?
February 20th, 2010 at 5:08 am
Hi,
Thanks for the Great Tutorial. I saw the posts related to error some people are getting, if they actually view the Video properly there wont be any problems. It took me <5 mins to set it up.
Thanks Again
March 4th, 2010 at 1:02 am
Hi,
Many Thanks for the tutorial!
I am running into a small issue and hope someone can help me figure it out.
Here is my setup:
- total of 3 routers running in GNS3.
Issues:
1) I am only able to connect to the first two routers and not the 3rd using PuttyCM.
2) Router 1′s connection is actually on “Console 2001″ (not on 2000)
3) Router 2 is actually on “Console 2007″.
Double clicking on all others Console ports in connection manager does not do anything and connection to R3 does not exist even though it is powered on in GNS3.
Thanks again. All help is greatly appreciated.
March 5th, 2010 at 12:51 am
Actually… just figured it out.
everything is working smoothly now.
peace!
March 23rd, 2010 at 3:07 am
THanks for the link for PuttyCM alpha guys, that helped with the errors on Win7.
April 24th, 2010 at 11:23 am
Hi, I tried it using beta version, but still cant connect to. it gives me following error.
############################
4/24/2010 11:46:35 PM:Unable to find PuTTY sessions (registry key ‘HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\SimonTatham\PuTTY\Sessions’ does not exist)
4/24/2010 11:46:35 PM:Unable to find PuTTY sessions (registry key ‘HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\SimonTatham\PuTTY\Sessions’ does not exist)
4/24/2010 11:46:35 PM:RUNTIME ERROR
4/24/2010 11:46:35 PM: Main error : Unable to attach PuTTY process
4/24/2010 11:46:35 PM: Internal error : Process has exited, so the requested information is not available.
4/24/2010 11:46:35 PM: StackTrace :
4/24/2010 11:46:35 PM: at System.Diagnostics.Process.EnsureState(State state)
at System.Diagnostics.Process.get_MainWindowHandle()
at x48b98d898b67428b.x1521d5c1a2ad9cb1.x1248f643d518e66f(x6f302b004bee2deb x69e8923140f2b0a6, xb6e5bd3523128419 xd617aefdd9defbf0)
############################
please help me if you faced the same problem and have solution.
Thanks in Advance,
Jigar Dave
April 24th, 2010 at 12:57 pm
Hi Admin, once again, I delete and remove all Putty and GNS3 software from my machine, and re install it and goes as per the video, but still struggling with the same issue, this time the error is like as below
#####################
4/25/2010 1:25:30 AM:Unable to find PuTTY sessions (registry key ‘HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\SimonTatham\PuTTY\Sessions’ does not exist)
4/25/2010 1:25:30 AM:Unable to find PuTTY sessions (registry key ‘HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\SimonTatham\PuTTY\Sessions’ does not exist)
#####################
please do needful to solve this one
Thanks in advance
Jigar Dave
May 4th, 2010 at 7:43 am
I have watched the vid and installed PuTTYcm. I have the DB configured and when I start GNS3, all looks good when I open Console, PuTTYcm opens, but none of the connections connect to any router.
Can someone give me any ideas of what to check?
Regards
May 8th, 2010 at 6:01 pm
Rinxer,
How did you fix your problem?
June 30th, 2010 at 3:08 pm
or, can you tell us how to setup a console from the puttycm so we can setup a database on our own?