CHAPTER
5-1
Catalyst2950 and Catalyst2955 Switch Software Configuration Guide
78-11380-10
5
Assigning the Switch IP Address and Default Gateway
This chapter describes how to create the initial switch configuration (for example, assign the switch IP
address and default gateway information) for the Catalyst 2950 or Catal yst 2 955 swi tch by usin g a
variety of automatic and manual methods. It also describes how to modify the switch startup
configuration only on the Catalyst 2950 Long-Reach Ethernet (LRE ) switc hes.
Note For complete syntax and usage information for the commands used in this chapter, refer to the command
reference for this release and the Cisco IOS IP and IP Routing Comma nd Reference, Release 12.1.
This chapter consists of these sections:
•Understanding the Boot Process, page 5-1
•Assigning Switch Information, page 5-2
•Checking and Saving the Running Configuration, page 5-11
•Modifying the Startup Configuration, page 5-11 (available only on the Catalyst 2950 LRE switch)
•Scheduling a Reload of the Software Image, page 5-16 (available only on the Catalyst 2950 LRE
switch)

Understanding the Boot Process

To start your switch, you need to follow the procedures in the hardware in stallation guide about install ing
and powering on the switch, and setting up the initial configuration (IP address, subnet mask, default
gateway, secret and Telnet passwords, and so forth) of the switch.
The normal boot process involves the operation of the boot loader software, whic h perfo rm s the se
activities:
•Performs low-level CPU initialization. It initializes the CPU registers, which control where physical
memory is mapped, its quantity, its speed, and so forth.
•Performs power-on self-test (POST) for the CPU subsystem. It tests the CPU DRAM and the portion
of the flash device that makes up the flash file system.
•Initializes the flash file system on the system board.
•Loads a default operating system software image into memory and boots the switch.