4-9
Catalyst2950 and Catalyst2955 Switch Software Configuration Guide
78-11380-10
Chapter4 Getting Started with CMS Configuring CMS

CMS Plug-In

You need to install the CMS plug-in to run CMS with your web browser. The plug-in is supported both
in Windows environments and on Solaris platforms. For more information about the CMS plug-in,
including the URL, refer to the "Software Compatibility" section in the release notes.
Note If you need to both upgrade your web browser and install the C MS plug -in, yo u mu st upgrade your
browser first. If you install the CMS plug-in and then upgrade your browser, the plug-in is not registered
with the new browser.
The plug-in includes a console window that you can use to troubleshoot CMS or to view the CLI
commands from CMS. When CMS is running, press F2 to display or to hide the CMS console. Press F3
to display or to hide the CLI commands that CMS is sending.
Cross-Platform Considerations
When managing switch clusters through CMS, remember that clusters can have a mix of switch models
using different Cisco IOS releases and that CMS in earlier Cisco IOS releases and on different switch
platforms might look and function differently from CMS in this Cisco IOS release.
When you select Device > Device Manager for a cluster member, a new browser session launches, and
the CMS version for that switch appears (Catalyst 1900 and 2820 swit ches only ).
Here are examples of how CMS can differ between Cisco IOS releases an d sw it ch pl at forms:
•The CMS versions in these software releases might appear to be similar but they are not the same as
this release. For example, the Topology view in this release is not the same as the Topology view or
the Cluster View in these earlier software releases.
–
Cisco IOS Release 12.0(5)WC2 or earlier
–
Cisco IOS Release 12.1(6)EA1 or earlier
–
Cisco IOS Release 12.2(18)SE or later
•CMS on the Catalyst 1900 and Catalyst 2820 switches is referred to as Switch Manager. Cluster
management options are not available on these switches. This is the earliest version of CMS.
Refer to the documentation specific to the switch and its Cisco IOS release for descriptions of the CMS
version.
HTTP Access to CMS
CMS uses the HTTP protocol (the default is port 80) and the default method of authentication (the enable
password) to communicate with the switch through any of its Ethernet ports and to allow switch
management from a standard web browser.
If you have not configured a specific (nondefault) HTTP port and are using the enable password (or no
password) for access to the switch, you can go to the “Displaying CMS” section on page 4-10.