Installing Cisco SDM

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The Cisco Security Device Manager is EoL/EoS (End of Life/End of Service) and is no longer on the CCNA Exam!!!
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Real World Application & Core Knowledge

In the previous lab you configured the required prerequisites for the Cisco SDM v2.5 installation onto R1’s flash: filesystem. Ensure that you’ve extracted the Cisco SDM v2.5 installation files to a folder on your desktop or other easily accessible location for installation.

When attempting to install the Cisco SDM on an emulated dynamips routed running on Windows the dynamips engine may crash. This lab is demonstrated using a Real cisco 2651XM however if you wish to attempt this lab you can use SW1 in the Free CCNA Workbook GNS3 topology.

NOTICE: When installing Cisco SDM you will need to download JRE 6 update 6. Any later versions will cause the SDM web interface to malfunction. You can obtain this release of java from the following link;

In this lab you will complete the Cisco SDM v2.5 installation by following and completing the steps required in the Cisco SDM installation wizard. Afterwards you will launch the Cisco SDM GUI interface via the web browser (Internet Explorer only. Other web browsers such as Firefox, Opera, AOL may not work)

The following logical topology will be used for this lab;

Lab Prerequisites

Lab Objectives

  • Launch the Cisco SDM installer “setup.exe” from within windows and follow the installation steps. During the wizard you’ll be required to provide previously configuration information such as the IP address of the routers FastEthernet0/0 interface and a username and password with level 15 privileged.
  • Verify that you’re able to login to the Cisco SDM via a Web Browser using the URL http://x.x.x.x/home.shtml

Lab Instruction

Objective 1. – Launch the Cisco SDM installer “setup.exe” from within windows and follow the installation steps. During the wizard you’ll be required to provide previously configuration information such as the IP address of the routers FastEthernet0/0 interface and a username and password with level 15 privileged.

Step 1. – Launch setup.exe located in the SDM extracted folder;

Step 2. – After clicking next at the Welcome to the SDM installation Wizard screen you’ll be required to accept the End User License Agreement;

Step 3. – Once you’ve accepted the EULA you’ll be prompted as to where you wish to install the Cisco SDM. Select “Router” as this option will install the Cisco SDM to the Routers flash storage;

Step 4. – After selecting the installation location as Router you’ll then be prompted for the Router authentication information which includes the IP address of the router as well as a username and password with level 15 privileges. Fill in these requirements and continue;

Step 5. – After providing the Router authentication information the SDM installation wizard should have attempted to communicate with the router. During this process it determines what type of device it is as well as available space in flash: After this is completed you’ll be prompted with the option to choose the Typical or Custom installation. Select “Typical” here and continue;

Step 6. – After selecting the Typical SDM installation you’ll be prompted to verify and/or change the installation packages. Deselect the “Install Cisco SDM Express” and continue;

Step 7. – Now that you’ve selected the installation packages you’re ready to install. Click next and sit back and watch the magic happen;

Step 8. – Once completed you have the option to launch the Cisco SDM GUI however keep in mind. SDM only functions properly on Internet Explorer. Launching the Cisco SDM from the installation wizard will open your default browser;

Objective 2. – Verify that you’re able to login to the Cisco SDM via a Web Browser using the URL http://x.x.x.x/home.shtml

Note that when you launch the SDM browser in Internet Explorer if you enabled HTTPS using the ip http secure-server command in the previous lab you’ll be be redirected to use HTTPS. In which case you will receive an Error message regarding the validity of the Self-signed IOS certificate the router has auto-generated. Continue to the website and make sure you’ve disabled your pop-up blocker or added the IP address of the router to the pop-up safe list.

Once you’ve logged into the website initially you’ll be prompted by Java that the publisher is untrusted. Make sure that the publisher is always trusted before continuing. After which you’ll be prompted for the username and password again of a level 15 privilege account as shown below;

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The Cisco Security Device Manager (SDM) is End of Life/End of Service so keep in mind SDM will not work on newer Internet Explorer browsers. It functions best on a Windows XP machine running IE6.
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