Console Port Overview

The console port allows access to a device running Junos OS, regardless of the state of the device, unless it is completely powered off. By connecting to the console port, you can access the root level of the device without using the network to which the device might not be connected.

A console port connection provides persistent direct access to a device that can often be accessed even when the primary network has failed.

We recommend that you perform all Junos OS and software package upgrades using the console port connection because this connection remains up for the duration of the upgrade, enabling you to monitor status and progress. Other network-based connections such as SSH or telnet are often interrupted during software upgrades, which can cause status or error messages to be missed.