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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
Configuring the Client
Beginning in privileged EXEC mode, follow these steps to configure a switch to download a
configuration file and new image from a DHCP server:
This example uses a Layer 3 SVI interface on VLAN 99 to enable DHCP-based autoconfiguration with
a saved configuration:
Switch# configure terminal
Switch(conf)# boot host dhcp
Switch(conf)# boot host retry timeout 300
Switch(conf)# banner config-save ^C Caution - Saving Configuration File to NVRAM May Cause
You to No longer Automatically Download Configuration Files at Reboot^C
Switch(config)# vlan 99
Switch(config-vlan)# interface vlan 99
Switch(config-if)# no shutdown
Switch(config-if)# end
Switch# show boot
BOOT path-list:
Config file: flash:/config.text
Private Config file: flash:/private-config.text
Enable Break: no
Manual Boot: no
HELPER path-list:
NVRAM/Config file
buffer size: 32768
Timeout for Config
Download: 300 seconds
Config Download
via DHCP: enabled (next boot: enabled)
Switch#
Note You should only configure and enable the Layer 3 interface. Do not assign an IP address or DHCP-based
autoconfiguration with a saved configuration.
Command Purpose
Step 1 configure terminal Enter global configuration mode.
Step 2 boot host dhcp Enable autoconfiguration with a saved configuration.
Step 3 boot host retry timeout timeout-value (Optional) Set the amount of time the system tries to
download a configuration file.
Note If you do not set a timeout the system will
indefinitely try to obtain an IP address from the
DHCP server.
Step 4 banner config-save ^C warning-message ^C (Optional) Create warning messages to be displayed
when you try to save the configuration file to NVRAM.
Step 5 end Return to privileged EXEC mode.
Step 6 show boot Verify the configuration.