About This Guide

This section describes the objectives, audience, organization, and conventions of the Cisco SwitchProbe Installation and Configuration Guide.

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Document Objectives

This guide tells you how to install, configure, and use Cisco SwitchProbe devices to monitor and diagnose network traffic. See Using the TrafficDirector Application for information about using the TrafficDirector network management application with your SwitchProbe device.

Who Should Read This Guide

This guide is designed for the individuals who install and configure SwitchProbe devices for monitoring network segments. These individuals should have a working knowledge of network operation and management to use this guide effectively.

Document Organization

The SwitchProbe Installation and Configuration Guide is organized as follows:

"Product Overview," describes the various SwitchProbe devices and how they are used on the network segment.
"Site Requirements," provides mandatory site requirements essential for the proper functioning of the SwitchProbe devices.
"Physical Description," describes the physical characteristics of each SwitchProbe device.
"Installing a SwitchProbe Device," describes the basic installation steps for connecting a SwitchProbe device to the network segment.
"Initializing a SwitchProbe Device," describes basic configuration tasks necessary to initialize a SwitchProbe device before connecting it to the network segment.
"Making Network Connections," describes the different SwitchProbe device interfaces, and how to connect these interfaces to the network segment.
"Configuring SwitchProbe Devices," describes configuration tasks for customizing the SwitchProbe device.
"Using Command-Line Mode to Customize SwitchProbe Devices," describes how to operate and configure the SwitchProbe device through the command-line mode.
"Monitoring WAN DLCIs and ATM VPIs/VCIs," describes DLCI monitoring for WAN SwitchProbe devices, and VPI/VCI monitoring for ATM SwitchProbe devices.
"Using Advanced Features," describes advanced features supported by the SwitchProbe devices.
"Using Special Licensed Software Options," describes the various software options that you can purchase from Cisco Systems that provide additional functionality in the SwitchProbe devices.
"Shadow MIB Implementations," describes implementation guidelines for monitoring WAN and ATM traffic.
"Specifications," lists specifications for the small chassis and the front-access chassis series, as well as Fast-Ethernet FDX tap and SwitchProbe interfaces.
"Cable Pinouts," shows cable pinouts and their locations.
"Translated Safety Warnings," provides translations in multiple languages of all the safety warnings that appear in this guide.

Document Conventions

This publication uses the following conventions to convey instructions and information:

Command descriptions use these conventions:

Commands and keywords are in boldface font.
Variable arguments for which you supply values are in italic font.
Elements in square brackets ([ ]) are optional.
Alternative keywords are grouped in braces ({ }) and separated by vertical bars ( | ).

Examples use the following conventions:

Terminal sessions and information the system displays are printed in screen font.
Information you enter is in boldface screen font.
Default responses to system prompts are in square brackets ([ ]).

Note Means reader take note. Notes contain helpful suggestions or references to materials not contained in this manual.

Caution
This symbol means reader be careful. In this situation, you might do something that could result in equipment damage or loss of data.

Warning This symbol means danger. You are in a situation that could cause bodily injury. Before you work on any equipment, you must be aware of the hazards involved with electrical circuitry and be familiar with standard practices for preventing accidents. (To see translations of the warnings that appear in this guide, see the appendix "Translated Safety Warnings.")

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