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Chapter 2

Connecting the Switch Block

There are two types of operating systems that run on Cisco switches:

IOS based You can configure the switch from a command-line interface
(CLI) that is very similar to the one used on Cisco routers. Catalyst 1900,
2820, and 2900 switches can be used with an IOS-based CLI, although
they can be set with a menu system as well.

Set based Uses older, set-based CLI configuration commands. The
Cisco switches that use the set-based CLI are the 2926 series, the 1948G,
the 4000, the 5000, and the 6000 series.

It's time to be introduced to the 1900 and 5000 series of Catalyst switches.

Why the 1900? Cisco uses it on the exams, of course, and it allows you to run
a CLI with IOS-based commands on a less-expensive switch than you would
need to use with the 5000 series. The 1900 switches are great for home
offices or other small offices where you can get 10Mbps switched ports with
100Mbps uplinks at a decent price. It sure beats shared hubs!

Cabling the Switch Block Devices

You can physically connect to a Cisco Catalyst switch by connecting either
to the console port or an Ethernet port, just as you would with a router.

Connecting to the Console Port

The 1900 and 5000 series switches both have a console connector. However,
the 5000 series switch has a console connector that uses only an RS-232-type
connector, which will come with the switch when purchased. The 1900
switch, on the other hand, has a console port on the back, which is an RJ-45
port. Both console cables are rolled cables.

1924 switches use a null-modem cable for the console port.

After you connect to the console port, you need to start a terminal emu-

lation program like Hyperterm in Windows. The settings are as follows:

9600 BPS

8 data bits

No parity

1 stop bits

No flow control

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