Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Rack Rentals

What are the requirements for accessing the equipment?

The only requirement for rack rental access is the ability to telnet across the Internet at TCP port 23.

I signed up for rack time. Now what?

You will receive an email from with your login information before your scheduled date and time.

How do I connect to the access server?

Log in as "rackX" where X is your rack number, using the instructions you were emailed.

What do I do after I'm on the access server?

Issue the "show hosts" command to see the host mappings. Reverse telnet to them by typing the hostname and pressing Enter.

How do I change my rack time zone?

Log in to your Members account, click Profile in the menu on the left, and choose your time zone from the Timezone list. Check the Daylight Savings Time box only if your state or territory observes Daylight Saving Time. Make sure to click Save Changes.

How do I get back to the access server after I'm connected to a router/switch?

Issue the escape sequence CTRL-SHIFT-6-X. To do so, hold Ctrl and Shift, press 6, release all keys, and then press X.

Can I connect to the devices directly without using the access server?

Yes. Log in as "rackXrY" and "rackXswY" where X is the rack number and Y is the device number. The password is the same for all devices and is included in your email instructions.

What do I do if I can't log in?

If you receive an "Authentication Failed" message, your login and/or password may be incorrect. Recheck your schedule to ensure that you are logging in at the correct date and time and using the correct login information. If you do not receive an error message and the connection simply closes, the line must be cleared.

How do I clear a line?

To clear the console line of the access server, log in as "clearrackX" where X is the rack number, using the password you received in your email instructions. To clear an individual device line, log in to the access server and issue the "clear line Z" command where Z is the line number. To see the active connections and their line numbers, issue the "show line" command.

Lab Workbooks

Where do I find the initial configurations?

Initial configurations are included with your workbook downloads. In your Members account, click Workbooks, and then click Download for the workbook for which you need initial configurations. Be sure to scroll to the bottom of the list of files in this dialog box; sometimes you will need to scroll down to see the Initial Configurations file.

Are workbooks updated?

Any errata and solutions guide updates made by INE will be posted in your Members account for the product you purchased.

Is there a formal method and/or process to report a possible issue with the labs or solutions?

We have a ticketing system to help track any issues ("bugs") with our products. If you feel you have encountered a bug in any of our products, email the details of the issue to . The quality control team will work closely with the development team to ensure that your issue is handled properly. Bug reports will be responded to within two business days. This allows time to verify and/or re-create the issue.

What if I don't have an issue to report but I would like to discuss a lab task or solution?

Our online community is the best place to discuss these types of questions. Our forum is actively moderated by our authors and instructors, along with hundreds of networking professionals like yourself.

What is the difference between the printed and electronic workbooks?

The printed products are hard copies that are shipped to you by a method of your choosing. The electronic version is the same material in Adobe PDF format.

Can I print an electronic workbook?

Yes. The electronic versions of the workbooks are printable and downloadable.

If I upgrade to a printed version of a workbook, will I lose my electronic access?

No.

Do I have to be online to read an electronic workbook?

No, you do not need to be online. You can download and save the PDFs locally on your computer.

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