Cisco CBS Series - User Manual

Get To Know Your Switch
This chapter contains the following sections:
• Introduction, on page 1
• Rack Mounting Switch, on page 2
• Wall Mounting a Switch, on page 3
• Stacking the Switches, on page 5
• Power over Ethernet Considerations, on page 7
• Front Panel, on page 9
• Configuring Switches, on page 11
• Restoring Factory Default Settings, on page 13
• Navigation, on page 14
Introduction
Thank you for purchasing the Cisco CBS Series Switch. The Cisco CBS Series Switches combine powerful
network performance and reliability with a complete suite of network features that you need for a solid business
network. These expandable Gigabit Ethernet switches, with Gigabit or 10-Gigabit uplinks, provide multiple
management options, rich security capabilities, and Layer-3 static routing features far beyond those of an
unmanaged or consumer-grade switch, at a lower cost than fully managed switches.
Before You Begin
Before you begin installing your device, ensure that the following items are available:
• RJ-45 Ethernet cables for connecting network devices. A category 6a and higher cable is required for
10G ports; a category 5e and higher cable is required for all other ports.
• Tools for installing the hardware.
• The rack-mount kit packed with the switch contains four rubber feet for desktop placement, and
two brackets and twelve screws for rackmounting.
• If the supplied screws are lost, use replacement screws in the following size:
• Diameter of the screw head: 6.9 mm
• Length of face of screw head to base of screw: 5.9 mm
• Shaft diameter: 3.94 mm
Get To Know Your Switch
1

Summary

Introduction

Rack Mounting Switch

Wall Mounting a Switch

Wall Mount an 8 Port Switch

Stacking the Switches

Feature Support on Hybrid Mode

Power over Ethernet Considerations

Front Panel

Front Panel LEDs

Details the various LEDs on the switch's front panel, including system and stack status indicators.

Configuring Switches

Configuring Your Switch Using the Web-based Interface

Explains how to access and manage the switch via its IP network using the web-based interface.

Configuring Your Switch Using the Console Port

Details the steps for configuring the switch via its console port, requiring specific terminal emulation settings.

Restoring Factory Default Settings

Navigation

Basic or Advanced Display Mode

Describes the two display modes available in the web GUI: Basic and Advanced configuration options.

Overview

1. Function Description
2. Usage Features
3. Installation and Setup
4. Connectivity
5. Power over Ethernet (PoE)
6. Management Interface
7. Stacking
8. LED Indicators
9. Maintenance Features
10. Reset Button
11. Configuration File Management
12. Password Management
13. Troubleshooting and Debugging
14. Firmware Updates

The Cisco CBS Series Switch is a robust networking device designed to provide powerful network performance and reliability for business networks. It offers a comprehensive suite of network features, going beyond the capabilities of unmanaged or consumer-grade switches. These switches are expandable, featuring Gigabit Ethernet ports with options for Gigabit or 10-Gigabit uplinks. They support multiple management options, robust security capabilities, and Layer-3 static routing features, all at a more cost-effective price point than fully managed switches.

Function Description

The primary function of the Cisco CBS Series Switch is to facilitate network connectivity and management within a business environment. It acts as a central hub for connecting various network devices such as computers, printers, IP cameras, VoIP phones, and wireless access points. The switch supports Power over Ethernet (PoE) on specific models, allowing it to supply power to attached powered devices (PDs) directly through the Ethernet cable, simplifying deployments and reducing cable clutter.

The switch can operate in a standalone configuration or as part of a stack. Stacking allows multiple switches to be managed as a single logical unit, increasing network capacity and simplifying administration. Any 10G port on the switch can be used for stacking, and the ports can be configured to function either as regular Ethernet ports or as stacking ports. The device supports both Native Stacking, where all units in the stack are of the same type, and Hybrid Stacking, which allows for mixed types of CBS350 devices within a single stack. When stacking, it's crucial that stack ports have the same speed capability.

The switch offers various management options, including a web-based interface for graphical configuration and a command-line interface (CLI) accessible via a console port for advanced users. The web-based interface provides an intuitive way to configure the switch, while the console port offers more granular control and is particularly useful for initial setup or troubleshooting.

Usage Features

Installation and Setup:

The Cisco CBS Series Switch can be installed in several ways:

• Desktop Placement: The switch comes with four rubber feet for stable placement on a desktop.
• Rack Mounting: The switch is designed to fit into any standard 19-inch (about 48 cm) wide rack, occupying 1 rack unit (RU) of space (1.75 inches or 44.45 mm high). The rack-mount kit includes two brackets and twelve screws for secure installation. For stability, it is recommended to load the rack from the bottom to the top, placing heavier devices at the bottom to prevent tipping.
• Wall Mounting: The switch can also be mounted on a wall, either to wall studs or a firmly attached plywood mounting backboard. When wall-mounting, it is important to ensure the front panel faces down or to the side to prevent airflow restriction and provide easier access to cables. The mounting brackets are used for this purpose. For 8-port switches, mounting screws are used directly with a template to align the holes.

Connectivity:

The switch features RJ-45 Ethernet cables for connecting network devices. For 10G ports, a category 6a or higher cable is required, while for all other ports, a category 5e or higher cable is sufficient. Some models include SFP+ (small form-factor pluggable plus) ports, which are connection points for modules that allow the switch to link to other switches, often referred to as mini 10GigaBit Interface Converter ports. Some SFP interfaces are shared with RJ-45 ports, forming "combo ports," where activating the SFP disables the adjacent RJ-45 port.

Power over Ethernet (PoE):

PoE-enabled models can supply DC power to devices like VoIP phones, IP cameras, and wireless access points. It's important to note that PoE switches are Power Sourcing Equipment (PSE). To prevent false detection issues where a PoE switch might mistakenly detect another PSE as a powered device, it is recommended to disable PoE on ports connecting to other PSEs and to power up PSE devices before connecting them to a PoE switch.

Management Interface:

The switch offers a web-based interface for configuration. To access it, users need to connect their computer to a network port on the switch and enter the switch's IP address into a web browser. The default IP address is 192.168.1.254, with a subnet of /24. The default username and password are "cisco" (case sensitive). Upon first login, users are prompted to change these default credentials for security. The web-based interface supports various browsers, including Microsoft Edge, Firefox (version 82 or higher), Chrome (version 86 or higher), and Safari over MAC (version 14.0 and higher).

The web-based interface provides two display modes:

• Basic Mode: Offers a subset of configuration options, suitable for common tasks.
• Advanced Mode: Provides the full set of configuration options for more detailed control. Switching between modes reloads the page, and any unsaved changes will be lost.

A console port (RJ-45 and/or mini-USB) is also available for CLI access, requiring a serial cable and terminal emulation program. This method is typically used by advanced users for initial setup, troubleshooting, or when network access is unavailable.

Stacking:

The stacking feature allows for increased network scalability and simplified management. When switches are stacked, they function as a single unit. The system LED on each unit indicates its Stack ID and whether it is the active unit. It's crucial to maintain consistent stack speeds across all switches and ports within a stack.

LED Indicators:

The front panel includes various LEDs to indicate the switch's status:

• System LED (Green): Lights steady when powered on, flashes during booting, self-tests, or IP address acquisition. An amber flash indicates a hardware, firmware, or configuration file error.
• Stack ID LED (Green): Lights steady when the switch is stacked, with the number indicating its Stack ID. (Available on certain models).
• Active Unit ID LED: Indicates if the unit is the active unit in the stack. (Available on certain models).
• System LED Flashing Pattern: Every 20 seconds, the System LED flashes according to the unit ID of the member unit (e.g., 1 flash for Unit 1, 2 flashes for Unit 2, etc.).
• LINK/ACT LED (Green): Located on the left of each port, lights steady when a link is detected and flashes when traffic is passing.
• SFP+ LED (Green): Located on the right of a 10G port, lights steady when a connection is made through the shared port and flashes with traffic.
• XG LED (Green): Located on the right of a 10G port, lights steady when a 10 Gbps link is established. Off indicates speed under 10 Gbps or no cable.
• Gigabit LED (Green): Located on the right of a 1G port, lights steady when a 1000 Mbps link is established. Off indicates speed under 1000 Mbps or no cable.
• PoE LED (Amber): Located on the right of the port, lights steady when power is being supplied to an attached device. (Available on certain models).

Maintenance Features

Reset Button:

The Reset button on the front panel serves two key maintenance functions:

• Reboot: Pressing and holding the Reset button for less than ten seconds will reboot the switch.
• Restore Factory Default Settings: To restore the switch to its factory default settings, disconnect it from the network or disable all DHCP servers, and then with the power on, press and hold the Reset button for more than ten seconds. This action reverts all configurations to their original factory state, including the default IP address (192.168.1.254), username ("cisco"), and password ("cisco").

Configuration File Management:

The switch includes a USB port that allows users to save and restore configuration files, firmware images, and SYSLOG files using a connected USB device. The USB port supports the FAT32 file system. This feature is crucial for backing up configurations and quickly deploying consistent settings across multiple switches or after a reset.

Password Management:

Upon initial login, users are required to change the default username and password to enhance network security. The system enforces password complexity rules to ensure strong credentials.

Troubleshooting and Debugging:

The console access provides additional interfaces for debug access, which are intended for Cisco Support Team personnel. These interfaces are password-protected and allow for U-BOOT access during the boot sequence, Linux Kernel access during the boot sequence, and run-time debug modes. The run-time debug mode, accessible over telnet and SSH terminals in addition to the console, allows the support team to view device settings and apply protocol and Layer 1 debug commands.

Firmware Updates:

While not explicitly detailed as a maintenance feature, the ability to save and restore firmware images via the USB port implies that firmware updates are a supported maintenance activity, allowing the switch to benefit from new features, performance improvements, and security patches.

Overall, the Cisco CBS Series Switch is designed for ease of use, robust performance, and flexible deployment, with features that cater to the evolving needs of small to medium-sized business networks.

Cisco CBS Series Specifications