3-2
Catalyst 2960 and 2960-S Switch Software Configuration Guide
OL-8603-09
Chapter 3 Assigning the Switch IP Address and Default Gateway
Assigning Switch Information
The normal boot process involves the operation of the boot loader software, whic h performs these
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.
• Loads a default operating system software image into memory and boots up the switch.
The boot loader provides access to the flash file system before the operating system is loaded. Normally,
the boot loader is used only to load, uncompress, and launc h the operating system. After the boot loader
gives the operating system control of the CPU, the boot loader is not active until the next system reset
or power-on.
The boot loader also provides trap-door access into the system if the operating system has problems
serious enough that it cannot be used. The trap-door mechanism provides enough access to the system
so that if it is necessary, you can format the flash file system, reinstall the operating system software
image by using the Xmodem Protocol, recover from a lost or forgotten password, and finally restart the
operating system. For more information, see the “Recovering from a Software Failure” section on
page 38-2 and the “Recovering from a Lost or Forgotten Password” section on page 38-3.
Note You can disable password recovery. For more information, see the “Disabling Password Recovery”
section on page 9-5.
Before you can assign switch information, make sure you have connected a PC or te rminal to the console
port, and configured the PC or terminal-emulation software baud rate and character format to match
these of the switch console port:
• Baud rate default is 9600.
• Data bits default is 8.
Note If the data bits option is set to 8, set the parity option to none.
• Stop bits default is 1.
• Parity settings default is none.
Assigning Switch Information
You can assign IP information through the switch setup program, through a DHCP server, or manually.
Use the switch setup program if you want to be prompted for specific IP information. With this program,
you can also configure a hostname and an enable secret password. It gives you the option of assign ing a
Telnet password (to provide security during remote management) and configuring your switch as a
command or member switch of a cluster or as a standalone switch. For more information about the setup
program, see the hardware installation guide.
The switch stack is managed through a single IP address. The IP address is a system-level setting and is
not specific to the stack master or to any other stack member. You can still manage the stack through the
same IP address even if you remove the stack master or any other stack member from the stack, provided
there is IP connectivity.