Simware7 7.1.50 is using Virtualbox as the virtualization platform for the routers and switches.

An inconvenience is the fact that the local console access has fixed screen size and no copy/paste is available.

So how can we still use an external terminal application like Putty to manage the Simware box ? 

Well, the local VM console operates as the con 0 of the device. Great, but since there are no VM integration tools installed inside the Simware image, there is no copy/paste of text, no screen resize etc. So this is not ideal to work with, it would be much easier if we could use the classic Putty or alternative terminal application.

The image shows the local console login (through the local VM), which does not allow any copy/paste of text:

But since the CON 0 is mapped to the local screen output, using putty on the console will not be possible.

Solution : AUX 0 !

But we also have an AUX port, as you can see in the display line (comware7 got rid of the user-interface command and uses line again) output:

By default, the AUX port does not require authentication, but you will only get network-operator (read-only) access.

So first you need to grant the read-write (network-admin) role to anyone using the aux port for device access.

This example assumes a chassis in IRF mode as Member ID 1 (which is why you get AUX 1/0), a non-chassis Simware switch would just have line aux 0.

line aux 1/0
 user-role network-admin
 quit

Sample output:

The AUX 0 port is actually mapped to the serial port COM2 of the Virtualbox VM.

When you look at the Simware VM properties of the COM2, you will see that it is mapped to a local named pipe.

This can be used as a target device from e.g. the Putty serial port interface and will give you a “normal” terminal editor again.

Image shows the settings of the VM serial port 2, and the configuration for Putty Serial port:

Now just open the connection in Putty and you will get access through the AUX 0 port.

So now the screen can be resized and you have copy/paste again !

The AUX access is demonstrated using the display users output (check the “F” sign next the AUX 1/0, which means the current operator interface)

So this shows how you can access the COM port of a Virtualbox VM, in this case Simware, using Putty.