Cisco Catalyst 3750 - Assigning Switch Information

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Catalyst 3750 Metro Switch Software Configuration Guide
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Chapter
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 “Recovering from Corrupted Software By Using the
XMODEM Protocol” section on page 34-2 and the “Recovering from a Lost or Forgotten Password”
section on page 34-3.
Note You can disable password recovery. For more information, see the “Disabling Password Recovery”
section on page 7-5.
Before you can assign switch information using the CLI or a DHCP server, 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 these of the switch console port:
• Baud rate default is 9600.
• Data bits default is 8.
• Stop bits default is 1.
• Parity settings default is none.
Note If you are using Express Setup, do not connect any devices to the switch before starting Express Setup.
Assigning Switch Information
You can assign IP information using Express Setup, using the switch CLI-based setup program, through
a DHCP server, or manually.
Use the Express Setup or the CLI-based setup program if you are a new user and want to be prompted
for specific IP information. With these programs, you can also configure a default gateway, a host name,
a switch password, and other information. You also have the option of assigning a Telnet password (to
provide security during remote management). For more information about the setup programs, refer to
the hardware installation guide.
Use a DHCP server for centralized control and automatic assignment of IP information once the server
is configured.
Note If you are using DHCP, do not respond to any of the questions in the setup program until the switch
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 setup program described earlier.