Chapter 1 Overview
Management Options
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Catalyst 2900 Series XL and Catalyst 3500 Series XL Software Configuration Guide
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• SNMP—SNMP provides a means to monitor and control the switch and
switch cluster members. You can manage switch configuration settings,
performance, security, and collect statistics by using SNMP management
applications such as CiscoWorks2000 LAN Management Suite (LMS) and
HP OpenView.
You can manage the switch from an SNMP-compatible management station
that is running platforms such as HP OpenView or SunNet Manager. The
switch supports a comprehensive set of MIB extensions and four RMON
groups.
For more information about using SNMP, see the “SNMP Network
Management Platforms” section on page 4-6.
Advantages of Using CMS and Clustering Switches
Using CMS and switch clusters can simplify and minimize your configuration and
monitoring tasks. You can use Cisco switch clustering technology to manage up
to 16 interconnected supported Catalyst switches through one IP address as if they
were a single entity. This can conserve IP addresses if you have a limited number
of them. CMS is the easiest interface to use and makes switch and switch cluster
management accessible to authorized users from any PC on your network.
By using switch clusters and CMS, you can
• Manage and monitor interconnected Catalyst switches (refer to the release
notes for a list of supported switches), regardless of their geographic
proximity and interconnection media, including Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Fast
EtherChannel, Cisco GigaStack Gigabit Interface Converter (GBIC), Gigabit
Ethernet, and Gigabit EtherChannel connections.
• Accomplish multiple configuration tasks from a single CMS window without
needing to remember CLI commands to accomplish specific tasks.