How to Configure a Switch

Catalyst Switch

User-Submitted Article

This article talks about the basic configuration of a Cisco Catalyst switch. Use these commands when you get a new or used Cisco switch that you want to configure. These commands will work on pretty much any Cisco catalyst switch. When you get a new or used switch, the first thing you will have to do is connect to it. Normally, this is done by using a laptop and a console cable. I assume if you are looking for these type of instructions that you can do already do that. Once you are able to connect into the switch, you can begin configuring it.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Cisco switch (e.g. 2950, 3550, 3560, 3750)
• laptop or PC with a console cable

1. 1
   The first step is to connect to your switch. The easiest way is to attach a console cable using a laptop. The defaul cisco login and password is "cisco"
   
2. 2
   If you have a used switch, you can erase any previous configuration information. The command to erase any previous configuration information is:
   
   (switch)# write erase
   
3. 3
   After you erase the previous configuration, you can reboot the switch with this command: (switch)# reload
   
4. 4
   You can set the switch name with this command: (switch)# host yourswitchnamehere
   
   For example: (switch)# Cisco-Switch
   
5. 5
   You can set the enable password: (switch)# enable password mysecretpassword
   
6. 6
   You can set the enable secret password: (switch)# enable secret mysecretpassword
   
7. 7
   You can set up the console login password with these commmands. (switch)# line con 0
   (switch)# password myloginpassword
   (switch)# logging synchronous
   (switch)# login
   
8. 8
   You set up the telent login line like this:
   (switch)# line vty 0 15
   (switch)# password myloginpassword
   (switch)# login
   
9. 9
   You can hide your passwords like this:
   (switch)# service password-encryption
   
10. 10
    You can save your configuration with this command:
    (switch)# write
    Or you can use this command: (switch)# copy run start
    
11. 11
    You set up the clock: (switch)# clock set 12:00:00 Month Day Year
    
12. 12
    You can set the default gateway like this: (switch)# ip default-gateway x.x.x.x
    
    For example: (switch)# ip default-gateway 192.168.1.1
    
13. 13
    You can set the daylight saving time using this command: (switch)# clock summer-time EST recurring first Sunday March 2:00 first Sunday November 2:00