Initial Switch Connection Settings

To perform an initial switch connection, connect the console, configure basic management settings, set passwords, assign IP addresses, and secure access via SSH/HTTPS.

Step 1: Physical Connection

• Rack-mount the switch and connect any StackWise or uplink cables if applicable .
• Console connection: Use a console cable (RJ-45 to DB-9 adapter if needed) to connect the switch console port to a PC running terminal-emulation software like PuTTY or HyperTerminal .
• Ethernet connections: Connect at least one uplink port to your upstream switch or router .
• Power on the switch and start the terminal session to view the POST output .

Step 2: Accessing the CLI

• Open your terminal software and select Serial as the connection type.
• Configure the serial settings: Baud rate 115200, Data bits 8, Stop bits 1, Parity None, Flow Control None .
• Launch the CLI to reach the initial prompt, usually Switch> .

Step 3: Basic Configuration

• Enter Privileged EXEC mode: enable → prompt changes to Switch# .
• Enter Global Configuration mode: configure terminal .
• Set a hostname to identify the switch: hostname <switch-name> .
• Configure an enable secret password for privileged access: enable secret <strong-password> .

Step 4: Securing Access

• Configure console and VTY line passwords to secure local and remote access:

  line console 0password <console-password>loginexitline vty 0 15password <vty-password>logintransport input sshexit

• Disable unencrypted protocols like HTTP and Telnet .
• Enable SSH and HTTPS for secure management; generating cryptographic keys is automatic when enabling HTTPS .

Step 5: Network Settings

• Assign a management IP address to a VLAN interface:

  interface vlan 1ip address <IP-address> <subnet-mask>no shutdownexit

• Set a default gateway for remote management: ip default-gateway <gateway-IP> .

Step 6: VLAN and Port Configuration

• Create VLANs as needed: vlan <vlan-number> → name <vlan-name> .
• Assign switch ports to VLANs:

  interface <type> <number>switchport mode accessswitchport access vlan <vlan-number>exit

Step 7: Save Configuration

• Save the running configuration to startup configuration to retain settings after reboot: write memory or copy running-config startup-config . Following these steps ensures your switch is connected, secured, and ready for network deployment, providing a foundation for further advanced configurations like port security, ACLs, or spanning tree protocol.