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Software Configuration Guide—Release 12.2(25)EWA
OL-7659-03
Chapter9 Configuring Switches with Web-Based Tools
Configuring and Using the Network Assistant
Note For information on how to use Network Assistant, refer to GettingStarted with Cisco Network Assistant,
available at the URL:
http://www.cisco.com/univercd/cc/td/doc/product/rtrmgmt/cna/v2_0/gsg/index.htm
Using Community Mode to Manage a Network
This section describes how to use communities to manage devices (including Catalyst 4500 series
switches, routers, access points, and PIX firewalls) using the Network Assistant application.
When you use communities to group the switches in your network, the only requirements are an HTTP
server and that you configure an IP address on each switch.
The total number of devices in the community cannot exceed 20 total devices (includ ing up to 4 Catalyst
4500 series switches (modular), 16 Catalyst 2900/3500 or Cataly st 4948 switches (non-modular), 2
routers, 12 access points, and 2 PIX firewalls).
Note The Add to Community dialog display any number of devices, but only allows you to select 20 devices.
If you try to add a 21st device, the dialog displays the 21st device and prompts you to select the unwanted
device.
Note For complete procedures about using Network Assistant to configure switch communities and clu sters,
refer to Getting Started with Cisco Network Assistant, available at:
http://www.cisco.com/univercd/cc/td/doc/product/rtrmgmt/cna/v2_0/gsg/index.htm
For the CLI cluster commands, refer to the Catalyst 4500 Series Switch Cisco IOS Command Reference
and related publications at:
http://www.cisco.com/univercd/cc/td/doc/product/software/ios122/122cgcr/index.htm
This section describes the guidelines, requirements, and caveats that yo u should understand before you
create a community. This section contains the following topics:
•Candidate and Member Characteristics, page 9-8
•Automatic Discovery of Candidates and Members, page 9-9
•Community Names, page 9-9
•Hostnames, page 9-10
•Passwords, page 9-10
•Access Modes in Network Assistant, page 9-10
•Community Information, page 9-10

Candidate and Member Characteristics

Candidates are network devices that have IP addresses but are not part of a community. Members are
network devices that are currently part of a community.
To join a community, a candidate must meet these requirements:
•It has an IP address.