Network Management

additional feature that enhances performance is voice VLAN. This feature allows network administrators to assign voice trafﬁc to a VLAN dedicated to IP telephony, thereby simplifying phone installations and providing easier network trafﬁc administration and troubleshooting.

Cisco Cluster Management Suite (CMS) is Web software that is embedded in Cisco Catalyst 3750, 3550, 2970, 2950, 2940, 3500 XL, 2900 XL, and 2900 LRE XL series switches. Through Cisco switch-clustering technology, users access Cisco CMS software with any standard Web browser to manage up to 16 of these switches at once, regardless of their geographic proximityæwith the option of using a single IP address for the entire cluster if desired. Cisco CMS software supports standards-based connectivity options such as Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Fast EtherChannel, Gigabit Ethernet, and Gigabit EtherChannel connectivity. Because Cisco switch-clustering technology is not limited to a single stack of switches, Cisco CMS software expands the traditional cluster domain beyond a single wiring closet and saves time and effort for network administrators.

Cisco Catalyst 2950 Series switches can be conﬁgured either as command or member switches in a Cisco switch cluster. Cisco CMS also allows the network administrator to designate a standby or redundant command switch, which takes the commander duties should the primary command switch fail. Other key features include the ability to conﬁgure multiple ports and switches simultaneously, as well as perform software updates across the entire cluster at once, and clone conﬁgurations to other clustered switches for rapid network deployment. Bandwidth graphs and link reports provide useful diagnostic information, and the topology map gives network administrators a quick view of network status.

In addition to CMS, Cisco Catalyst 2950 Series switches provide extensive management tools using SNMP network management platforms such as CiscoWorks.

Cisco Catalyst 2950 Series switches deliver a comprehensive set of management tools to provide the required visibility and control in the network. Managed with CiscoWorks, Cisco Catalyst family switches can be conﬁgured and managed to deliver end-to-end device, VLAN, trafﬁc, and policy management. Coupled with CiscoWorks, Cisco Resource Manager Essentials, a Web-based management tool, offers automated inventory collection, software deployment, easy tracking of network changes, views into device availability, and quick isolation of error conditions.

Cisco Express Setup is a new feature that simpliﬁes initial conﬁguration of a switch. Users now have the option to set up the switch using a Web browser, eliminating the need for more complex terminal emulation programs and knowledge of CLI. Cisco Express Setup reduces the cost of deployment by enabling less-skilled personnel to set up switches quickly and simply.

Cisco Systems, Inc.

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