C H A P T E R 4 Assigning The Switch Ip Address And Default Gateway - Cisco Catalyst 3550 series Software Configuration Manual

Assigning Switch Information
The boot loader provides access to the Flash file system before the operating system is loaded. Normally,
the boot loader is used only to load, uncompress, and launch the operating system. After the boot loader
gives the operating system control of the CPU, the boot loader is not active until the next system reset
or power-on.
The boot loader also provides trap-door access into the system if the operating system has problems
serious enough that it cannot be used. The trap-door mechanism provides enough access to the system
so that if it is necessary, you can format the Flash file system, reinstall the operating system software
image by using the XMODEM Protocol, recover from a lost or forgotten password, and finally restart
the operating system. For more information, see the
page 37-2
Note On Catalyst 3550 Fast Ethernet switches only, you can disable password recovery. For more information,
see the
Before you can assign switch information by using the command-line-interface (CLI)-based setup
program, make sure you have connected a PC or terminal to the console port, and configured the PC or
terminal-emulation software baud rate and character format to match those of the switch console port.
For more information, refer to the hardware guide that shipped with your switch.
Before you can use the Express Setup program to assign switch information on a switch running Cisco
IOS Release 12.1(14)EA1 or later, make sure that you have connected a PC to a 10/100 switch port.
Assigning Switch Information
You can assign IP information through the switch setup program, through a Dynamic Host Configuration
Protocol (DHCP) server, or by using the CLI.
You can use the switch CLI-based setup program if you are a new user and want to be prompted for
specific IP information. With this program, you can also configure a host name and an enable secret
password. It gives you the option of assigning a Telnet password (to provide security during remote
management) and configuring your switch as a command or member switch of a cluster or as a
standalone switch. For more information about the setup program, refer to the release notes on
Cisco.com.
If you are a new user on a switch running Cisco IOS Release 12.1(14)EA1 or later, you can also use the
Express Setup program. Use a DHCP server or the DHCP server feature running on the switch for
centralized control and automatic assignment of IP information when the server is configured.
If you are using DHCP, do not respond to any of the questions in the setup program until the switch
Note
receives the dynamically assigned IP address and reads the configuration file.
Use the manual method of configuration if you are an experienced user familiar with the switch
configuration steps; otherwise, use the one of the setup programs previously described.
This section contains this configuration information:
•
•
•
Catalyst 3550 Multilayer Switch Software Configuration Guide
4-2
and the "Recovering from a Lost or Forgotten Password" section on page
"Disabling Password Recovery" section on page
Default Switch Information, page 4-3
Understanding DHCP-Based Autoconfiguration, page 4-3
Manually Assigning IP Information, page 4-10
Chapter 4 Assigning the Switch IP Address and Default Gateway
"Recovering from Corrupted Software" section on
8-5.
37-2.
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