If when you run show logging or try to view the debug logs on a Cisco IOS device the date and time is not displayed and instead you get something like the below, here is the solution.

6w4d: %ETHCNTR-3-LOOP_BACK_DETECTED: Loop-back detected on FastEthernet2/0/8.

Get into configure terminal mode and enter the below

service timestamps log datetime localtime
service timestamps debug datetime localtime

If like me you what to see the output of a dubug command via a telnet connection, follow the below steps

1) Enable Virtual Terminal Logging

Telnet into the router and get yourself into privileged (Enable) mode and enter the command

terminal monitor

2) Enable Debugging on Virtual Terminal

Before you can remove a directory on a Cisco devices the directory must be empty, the below steps will show you how to delete all of the files and folders the directory contains.

Most modern Catalyst switches store their IOS in a folder due them being bundled with HTML files, so this may come in useful when you want to remove your current IOS pre / post an update.

If you find yourself in ROMMON mode having done something silly like wiping the flash or if there was a problem updating the IOS then the below steps will go though how to copy a replacement image from tftp to the routers flash.

What you will need

- A tftp server, I tend to use tftpd32
- A compatible IOS image in the base directory of your tftp server
- The router need to be pluged into your network
- You need to be connected to the router via a console cable

The Commands

Enter the below commands one by one