Chapter 10 Install and System Administration for FortiOS 5.0 : Using the CLI : Connecting to the CLI : Connecting to the CLI using a local console
  
Connecting to the CLI using a local console
Local console connections to the CLI are formed by directly connecting your management computer or console to the FortiGate unit, using its DB-9 or RJ-45 console port. To connect to the local console you need:
a computer with an available serial communications (COM) port
the RJ-45-to-DB-9 or null modem cable included in your FortiGate package
terminal emulation software such as HyperTerminal for Microsoft Windows
The following procedure describes connection using Microsoft HyperTerminal software; steps may vary with other terminal emulators.
To connect to the CLI using a local serial console connection
1. Using the null modem or RJ-45-to-DB-9 cable, connect the FortiGate unit’s console port to the serial communications (COM) port on your management computer.
2. On your management computer, start HyperTerminal.
3. For the Connection Description, enter a Name for the connection, and select OK.
4. On the Connect using drop-down list box, select the communications (COM) port on your management computer you are using to connect to the FortiGate unit.
5. Select OK.
6. Select the following Port settings and select OK.
 
Bits per second
9600
Data bits
8
Parity
None
Stop bits
1
Flow control
None
7. Press Enter or Return on your keyboard to connect to the CLI.
8. Type a valid administrator account name (such as admin) and press Enter.
9. Type the password for that administrator account and press Enter. (In its default state, there is no password for the admin account.)
The CLI displays the following text:
Welcome!
Type ? to list available commands.
You can now enter CLI commands, including configuring access to the CLI through SSH or Telnet. For details, see “Enabling access to the CLI through the network (SSH or Telnet)”.
See Also
Enabling access to the CLI through the network (SSH or Telnet)
Connecting to the CLI using SSH
Connecting to the CLI using Telnet