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Software Configuration Guide—Release 12.2(25)EWA
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Chapter9 Configuring Switches with Web-Based Tools
Configuring and Using the Network Assistant
You can configure the Catalyst 4500 series switch to support an appropriate number of VTY lines with
the line vty configuration command. For example, the line vty 6 15 command configures the switch to
include 9 VTY lines.
Note If your existing VTY lines have non-default configurations, you might want to apply those
configurations to the new VTY lines.

Candidate Switch and Cluster Member Switch Characteristics

Candidate switches are cluster-capable switches that are not part of a cluster. Cluster member switches
are switches that are currently part of a switch cluster. Although not required, a candidate or cluster
member switch can have its own IP address and password.
Note The hostname of a candidate should not be in the form [a-zA-Z0-9]-n, where n is 0-16. These names are
reserved.
To join a cluster, a candidate switch must meet these requirements:
•It is running cluster-capable software and has clustering enabled.
•It has CDP version 2 enabled.
•It has HTTP server enabled.
Note Even when HTTP is enabled on the commander switch, communication between the commander
switch and member switch is still carried over HTTP. So, it is not secure.
•It has 16 VTY lines.
•It is not a command or cluster member switch of another cluster.
•It is connected to the cluster command switch through at least one common VLAN.
It is recommended that you configure the Catalyst 4500 candidate and cluste r member switches with
an SVI on the VLAN connection to the cluster command switch.
Using the CLI to Manage Switch Clusters
You can configure cluster member switches from the CLI by first logging in to the cluster command
switch. Enter the rcommand user EXEC command and the cluster member switch number to start a
Telnet session (through a console or Telnet connection) and to access the cluster member switch CLI.
The command mode changes and the Cisco IOS commands operate as usual. Enter the exit privileged
EXEC command on the cluster member switch to return to the command-switch CLI.
This example shows how to log in to member-switch 3 from the command-switch CLI:
switch# rcommand 3
If you do not know the member-switch number, enter the show cluster members privileged EXEC
command on the cluster command switch. For more information about the rcommand command and all
other cluster commands, refer to the Catalyst 4500 Series Switch Cisco IOS Command Reference.
The Telnet session accesses the member-switch CLI at the same privilege level as on the cluster
command switch. The Cisco IOS commands then operate as usual. For instructions on configuring the
switch for a Telnet session, see the “Accessing the CLI Through Telnet” section on page2-2.