Configuring the cisco switch can be difficult for beginners but here’s the complete guide for all of you.
Cisco switches are integral components in any network infrastructure. They enable network devices to communicate with one another and allow for the efficient transfer of data. The Cisco switch is one of the most widely used switches in the world, and configuring it correctly is essential to ensure a smooth and reliable network. After configuring a Cisco switch, you can begin managing it to preserve its adaptability, strength, and performance.
In this blog post, we will provide a step-by-step guide to configuring a Cisco switch using Network Configuration Manager. We will also cover the duplex mode and other important networking concepts related to Cisco switches.
Steps to configure the Cisco Switch
Here are the following steps to configure the cisco switch:
Step 1: Inspect your hardware.
You must be able to recognize the power cable, switch ports, and console ports as the initial step before configuring your Cisco switch. Also, all Cisco switches have Lights that show you the switch’s status right now.
Connect the power cable to the switch’s power source to turn it on, then watch for the system Lights to come on in the switch’s front. The system LEDs (SYST) for the switch can provide important information about the status of the switch, as follows:
- Off: Indicates that the system is not operational. Check the power source and cables if the switch does not power on.
- Green: Indicates that the switch is powered on and the software is loading.
- Amber: Indicates that the system is not operational, but the power supply is functional.
- Blinking Amber: Indicates a malfunction with the power cable, fan, or network module.
Check the lighting. You should generally pay attention to the System light as well as lights for the Console, Active, RPS, Stack, PoE, Duplex, Speed, etc. These lights differ depending on the Cisco Switch series.
Verify the switch’s reverse side. The interface port and power supply should be visible behind the switch. Switches’ console ports can either be serial or mini-USB. The IOS label, which displays the standard operating system version, should also be visible on the reverse.
Step 2: Connect the Switch to the Console
Next, attach your switch to a console, often one that makes use of a PuTTY-compatible terminal emulator. You will receive a prompt with the words “Switch>” as soon as you connect. This demonstrates that your switch is currently attached to a console.
Enter “enable” and then click the switch to begin using it. When signing in for the first time, you automatically have access to EXEC mode and are not required to enter a password. But you can later configure the switch so that entering this mode requires a password.
Step 3: Set the Switch’s hostname.
Enter Global Configuration Mode after Enable, then type the following command:
Configure switch # at the terminal.
Switch(config)#
By giving the switch a hostname, you can make it simpler to find it in the network. To assign a hostname, enter the following command:
Access-switch1 hostname:
Switch(config) # hostname access-switch1
Access-switch1(config) #1
Step 4: Assigning Password to Switch
After configuring a hostname, it is recommended to set a password to limit access to the privileged EXEC mode. Use the following command:
Switch(config)# enables a secret strong password.
Keep this password in mind since you’ll need it to access EXEC mode.
For further security, configure passwords for both telnet and console.
In telnet, the command to set a password is.
Switch1(config)# line vty 0 12.
Switch(config-line) # password strongtelnetpassword
Switch(config)#
Like that, the terminal command to set up a password is,
Switch1(config)# line console 0
Switch(config-line) # password strongconsolepassword
Switch(config)#
Step 5: Configure IP Address with Telnet Access
To allow Telnet access for specific IP addresses, the next step is to utilize the PuTTY CLI to add these addresses. Execute the following command to specify the authorized IPs, substituting the IP addresses listed with those of the components that require access:
access-switch1(config)# ip access-list standard TELNET-ACCESS
access-switch1(config-std-nacl) # permit 216.174.200.21
access-switch1(config-std-nacl) # permit 216.174.200.21
access-switch1(config-std-nacl) # exit
To restrict access to virtual terminal (VTY) lines on your network, it is possible to configure access control lists (ACLs). By using ACLs, it can be ensured that only authorized administrators can connect to the router via Telnet.
access-switch1(config)# line vty 0 15
access-switch1(config-line) # access-class TELNET-ACCESS in
access-switch1(config-line) # exit
access-switch1(config)#
Step 6: Configure a management IP Address
An important step to configure the cisco switch.
The following step in the network setup process involves configuring a network management IP address. Since switches do not have an IP address assigned by default, it is not possible to use Telnet or SSH to connect to them. However, you can resolve this issue by selecting a virtual LAN (VLAN) on the switch and creating a virtual interface with an IP address. This can be achieved by executing the command provided below:
access-switch1(config)# interface vlan 1
access-switch1(config-if) # ip address 10.1.1.200 255.255.255.0
access-switch1(config-if) # exit
access-switch1(config)#
Other computers will now join using VLAN1, which has the new IP management address.
Step 7: Configure the Default Gateway
Use this command to configure the default gateway:
Switch(config)# ip default-gateway IP-address
Switch# shows ip route.
The IP addresses that can reach the switch can also be found via telnet. For this,
Switch(config)# ip access-list standard TELNET-ACCESS
Switch(config-std-nacl) # permit 8.8.8.8
Switch(config-std-nacl) # permit 8.8.8.8
Switch(config-std-nacl) # exit
You defined the permitted IP addresses in the previous step. After that, link this list to your telnet line. The appropriate command is:
Switch(config)# line vty 0 12
Switch(config-line) # access-class TELNET-ACCESS in
Switch(config-line) # exit
Switch(config)#
By utilizing telnet, you have now determined your default IP addresses and the IP addresses that are allowed.
Step 8: Configure the Static Route
In cases where the routing table does not contain any routes, it is possible to use a static route to direct packets. By implementing this configuration, the switch can send all packets through the specified route, which can be beneficial when a dynamic routing database is unavailable or lacks specific routes.
The command used to set up a static route is,
Switch(config)# ip route destination_IP_address mask
Switch# show running-config
Step 9: Configure the Interfaces
Configuring the switch’s interfaces comes next. The “interface” command followed by the interface number is used to accomplish this. For instance, type “interface gigabitethernet1/0/1” to configure interface 1. You can set up several parameters, including the IP address, subnet mask, and duplex mode, once you are in interface configuration mode.
Switch(config)#interface fastethernet 0/1
Switch(config-if) #description Development VLAN
Step 10: Disable Ports
Afterward, shut off any ports you believe are unnecessary. Although it is not required, this can increase security.
Suppose that in this scenario, we have a 96-port switch and want to disable ports 75 through 90. To accomplish this, use the following command:
Switch(config)# interface range fa 0/75-90
Switch(config-if-range) # shutdown
Switch(config-if-range) # exit
Switch(config)#
Step 11: Configure the Duplex Mode
By enabling the switch to send and receive data simultaneously in duplex mode, your switches become more effective during the whole data transfer process.
This mode can be set with the command below.
Switch(config-if) #duplex full
Step 12: Save the Configuration
You must save the configuration after you have completed configuring the switch.
The “write” command is used to accomplish this, saving the configuration to non-volatile memory.
Switch(config)# exit
Switch(config)#
Another option is to copy the running configuration to the startup configuration with the command “copy running-config startup-config”.
Switch #write memory.
Building configuration… [OK]
Switch#
Cisco Switch with Network Configuration Manager
An effective solution for managing and automating the setup of network devices, including Cisco switches, is Network Configuration Manager (NCM). NCM can be used to configure numerous switches simultaneously, saving time and lowering the possibility of mistakes.
To set up a Cisco switch using Network Configuration Manager (NCM), follow these steps:
Step 1: Discover the Switch
Discovering the switch is the initial step in utilizing NCM to set up a Cisco switch. To accomplish this, insert the switch’s IP address into NCM along with the required information. The switch will be added to the inventory of devices as soon as it is found.
Step 2: Set the Templates Up
NCM configures network devices using templates. These templates include the commands required to set up a particular feature of the device. One template for configuring interfaces and another for configuring VLANs, for instance. You must make the necessary template changes or build new ones to set up a Cisco switch using NCM.
Step 3: Apply the Configuration
You can apply the templates to the switch once they have been configured. By choosing the switch from the device inventory and clicking “apply the template,” you can accomplish this.
Step 4: Perform Management Tasks
You may do a variety of administrative tasks, including backing up and restoring configurations, monitoring device performance and health, keeping track of changes made to the device, and much more, once the device has been installed and the credentials have been set up.
Step 5: Automate Tasks
Moreover, NCM can be used to automate time-consuming activities, including firmware updates, configuration changes, and compliance checks.
Overall, using a network configuration management tool like SolarWinds NCM can save time and effort for network administrators by streamlining device management and ensuring network consistency and compliance.
Now you know how you can configure the cisco switch so do share your valuable suggestions with us in comments.
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