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Catalyst 2950 and Catalyst 2955 Switch Software Configuration Guide
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Chapter 5      Configuring IE2100 CNS Agents
    Understanding IE2100 Series Configuration Registrar Software
DeviceID
Each configured switch participating on the event bus has a unique deviceID, which is analogous to the 
switch source address so that the switch can be targeted as a specific destination on the bus. All switches 
configured with the cns config partial global configuration command must access the event bus. 
Therefore, the deviceID, as originated on the switch, must match the deviceID of the corresponding 
switch definition in the Configuration Registrar. 
The origin of the deviceID is defined by the Cisco IOS host name of the switch. However, the deviceID 
variable and its usage reside within the event gateway, which is adjacent to the switch. 
The logical Cisco IOS termination point on the event bus is embedded in the event gateway, which in 
turn functions as a proxy on behalf of the switch. The event gateway represents the switch and its 
corresponding deviceID to the event bus.
The switch declares its host name to the event gateway immediately after the successful connection to 
the event gateway. The event gateway couples the deviceID value to the Cisco IOS host name each time 
this connection is established. The event gateway caches this deviceID value for the duration of its 
connection to the switch.
Host Name and DeviceID
The deviceID is fixed at the time of the connection to the event gateway and does not change even when 
the switch host name is reconfigured.
When changing the switch host name on the switch, the only way to refresh the deviceID is to break the 
connection between the switch and the event gateway. Enter the no cns event global configuration 
command followed by the cns event global configuration command. 
When the connection is re-established, the switch sends its modified host name to the event gateway. The 
event gateway redefines the deviceID to the new value.
Caution When using the Configuration Registrar user interface, you must first set the deviceID field to the host 
name value that the switch acquires after–not before–you use the cns config initial global configuration 
command at the switch. Otherwise, subsequent cns config partial global configuration command 
operations malfunction.
Using Host Name, DeviceID, and ConfigID
In standalone mode, when a host name value is set for a switch, the configuration server uses the host 
name as the deviceID when an event is sent on host name. If the host name has not been set, the event is 
sent on the cn=<value> of the device.
In server mode, the host name is not used. In this mode, the unique deviceID attribute is always used for 
sending an event on the bus. If this attribute is not set, you cannot update the switch.
These and other associated attributes (tag value pairs) are set when you run Setup on the Configuration 
Registrar.
Note For more information about running the setup program on the Configuration Registrar, see the Cisco 
Intelligence Engine 2100 Series Configuration Registrar Manual.