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Chapter 6
Configuring the System
Configuring the Network Time Protocol
In complex networks, it is often prudent to distribute time information from a central server. The
Network Time Protocol (NTP) can distribute time information by responding to requests from clients or
by broadcasting time information.
For CLI procedures, refer to the Cisco IOS Release 12.0 documentation on Cisco.com for additional
information and CLI procedures.
Configuring the Switch as an NTP Client
You configure the switch as an NTP client by entering the IP addresses of up to ten NTP servers and
specifying which server should be used first. You can also enter an authentication key to be used as a
password when requests for time information are sent to the server.
Enabling NTP Authentication
To ensure the validity of information received from NTP servers, you can authenticate NTP messages
with public-key encryption. This procedure must be coordinated with the administrator of the NTP
servers: the information you enter will be matched by the servers to authenticate it.
Configuring the Switch for NTP Broadcast-Client Mode
You can configure the switch to receive NTP broadcast messages if there is an NTP broadcast server,
such as a router, broadcasting time information on the network. You can also enter a value to account for
any round-trip delay between the client and the NTP broadcast server.
Configuring CDP
Use the CLI or CMS to enable Cisco Discovery Protocol (CDP) for the switch, to set global CDP
parameters, and to display information about neighboring Cisco devices.
CDP enables CMS to display a graphical view of the network. For example, the switch uses CDP to find
cluster candidates and to maintain information about cluster members and other devices up to three
cluster-enabled devices away from the command switch.
If necessary, you can configure CDP to discover switches running CMS up to seven devices away from
the command switch. Devices that do not run clustering software display as edge devices, and CDP
cannot discover any device connected to them.
Creating and maintaining switch clusters is based on the regular exchange of CDP messages. Disabling
Note
CDP can interrupt cluster discovery. For more information about the role that CDP plays in clustering,
see the
78-6511-08
"Automatic Discovery of Cluster Candidates and Members" section on page
Catalyst 2900 Series XL and Catalyst 3500 Series XL Software Configuration Guide
Configuring CDP
5-5.
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Troubleshooting
