Cisco Systems specifications Q. Do Cisco Catalyst 2955 switches support switch clustering?

Secure Shell (SSH) Protocol and SNMPv3 protect information from tampering or eavesdropping by encrypting information being passed along the network, thereby guarding administrative information. These features are available only on the enhanced image.

With the Cisco Catalyst 2955, network managers can implement high levels of console security. Multilevel access security on the switch console and the Web-based management interface prevent unauthorized users from accessing or altering switch configuration. TACACS+ and RADIUS authentication enable centralized access control of the switch and restrict unauthorized users from altering the configuration. Deploying security can be done through Cisco Cluster Management Suite (CMS) Software Security Wizards, which ease the deployment of security features that restrict user access to a server, a portion of the network, or the entire network.

Q. Do Cisco Catalyst 2955 switches support switch clustering?

A.Yes. Cisco Catalyst 2955 switches can be managed using Cisco CMS Software, which uses Cisco switch clustering technology. Cisco CMS is Web-based software that is embedded in Cisco Catalyst 3550, 2955, 2950, 2950ST-LRE, 3500 XL, 2900 XL, 2900 LRE XL, and 1900 switches. Through Cisco switch clustering technology, users can access Cisco CMS with any standard Web browser to manage up to 16 of these switches at once, regardless of their physical proximity—with the option of using a single IP address if desired.

Cisco CMS provides an integrated management interface for Cisco Catalyst 2955 switches to deliver intelligent services such as multilayer switching, QoS, multicast, and security access control lists (ACLs). Cisco CMS allows administrators to take advantage of benefits formerly reserved for only the most advanced networks—without having to learn the command-line interface (CLI) or even the details of the technology. The new Cisco CMS Guide Mode leads the user step-by-step through the configuration of high-end features and provides enhanced online help for context-sensitive assistance. In addition, wizards provide automated switch configuration to optimally support video streaming or videoconferencing, voice over IP (VoIP), and mission-critical applications. Wizards for LAN security and multicast are also provided.

Cisco CMS 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 expands the traditional cluster domain beyond a single wiring closet, saving time and effort for network administrators.

Cisco Catalyst 2955 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 if the primary command switch fails. Other key features include the ability to simultaneously configure multiple ports and switches, perform software updates across the entire cluster at once, and clone configurations to other clustered switches for rapid network deployments. Bandwidth graphs and link reports provide useful diagnostic information, and the topology map gives network administrators a quick view of the network status.

Q. Does the Cisco Catalyst 2955 Series support Inter-Switch Link (ISL) trunking?

A. No. The Cisco Catalyst 2955 Series hardware does not support ISL trunking. For customers with a requirement to deploy ISL trunking, Cisco Catalyst 3550 switches support both ISL and 802.1Q trunks.

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