How to Manage Cisco Catalyst 2950

Configure your device for remote management.

Managing a switch is vital to maintaining network connectivity. Applying the most basic configuration allows for good management of a switch. Additionally, minutes spent in the beginning to deploy the switch properly allows for shorter outage and less upkeep on the actual device.

Instructions

1. Configure a password on the device to secure access to only the people who absolutely need to be able to log in. Additional access, or not having a password, leads to unauthorized access. A hacker who has access to one device on your network has the ability to take over your entire network. Type the following commands to apply a password to enable access on the device and the terminal lines that are used to log in remotely:

   "configuration terminal"(configuration mode)

   "enable secret xxxxx"(enable password)

   "line vty 0 4"(vty line interfaces)

   "login"(causes device to prompt for a password)

   "password xxxxx"(actual password)

   "end"(end configuration mode)

   Fill in the "xxxxx" with the actual plain text password.

2. Configure the host name. A host name will allow you to find each individual device and tell them apart. The host name is also verified when using secure shell (SSH) to connect to the device. Type the following commands to apply a host name to the device:

   "configuration terminal"(configuration mode)

   "hostname xxxxxx"(name of device)

   "end"(end configuration mode)

   Fill in the "xxxxxx" with the actual name for your device.

3. Configure an Internet protocol (IP) address on the device. An IP is required to allow for management access to your device. Apply the following commands to the interface that is facing the device upstream on the network:

   "configuration terminal"(configuration mode)

   "interface Gx/x"(Interface that is the upstream port to this device)

   "IP address x.x.x.x y.y.y.y"(IP address command)

   "end"(end configuration mode)

   Fill in the "Gx/x" with the actual interface name that you are applying the IP to. This should be the interface that faces the upstream device. Add the IP in for the "x.x.x.x" location. The mask for the IP should be entered into the "y.y.y.y" location.

4. Configure a default gateway. This is a path that the device will force the traffic to follow to reach the upstream device. Type the following commands to apply the gateway and allow a path for your traffic to return on:

   "configuration terminal"(configuration mode)

   "IP default-gateway x.x.x.x"(IP network address)

   "end"(end configuration mode)

   Fill in the "x.x.x.x" with the network address for the previous IP address that you assigned to the upstream facing port. The IP address is like a car and the default gateway is the roadway to connect to the rest of the outside world.

Tips & Warnings

• Configuring the hostname, passwords, IP address and the default gateway will allow you access to your switch remotely.

• Making changes to the enable password could lock you out of the device. Dispatch a technician to be safe during this type of maintenance.

References

• "CCNP: Building Cisco Multilayer Switched Networks Study Guide (642-811)"; Terry Jack; 2003.
• "CCNA for Dummies"; Ron Gilster; 2004.
• "CCNA: Cisco Certified Network Associate Study Guide, Fourth Edition (640-801)"; Todd Lammle; 2004.
• "Cisco CCNA/CCENT Exam 640-802, 640-822, 640-816 Preparation Kit "; Dale Liu; 2009.