Configuring Ethernet Management Port

Finding Feature Information

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Prerequisites for Ethernet Management Ports

When connecting a PC to the Ethernet management port, you must first assign an IP address.

Information about the Ethernet Management Port

The Ethernet management port, also referred to as the Fa0 or fastethernet0 port, is a Layer 3 host port to which you can connect a PC. You can use the Ethernet management port instead of the switch console port for network management. When managing a switch stack, connect the PC to the Ethernet management port on a stack member.

Ethernet Management Port Direct Connection to a Switch

Figure 1. Connecting a Switch to a PC. This figure displays how to connect the Ethernet management port to the PC for a switch or a standalone switch.

Ethernet Management Port Connection to Stack Switches using a Hub

In a stack with only stack switches, all the Ethernet management ports on the stack members are connected to a hub to which the PC is connected. The active link is from the Ethernet management port on the active switchstack's active switchthrough the hub, to the PC. If the activeswitch fails and a new active switch is elected, the active link is now from the Ethernet management port on the new active switch to the PC.

Figure 2. Connecting a Switch Stack to a PC. This figure displays how a PC uses a hub to connect to a switch stack.

Supported Features on the Ethernet Management Port

The Ethernet management port supports these features:

  • Express Setup (only in switch stacks)

  • Network Assistant

  • Telnet with passwords

  • TFTP

  • Secure Shell (SSH)

  • DHCP-based autoconfiguration

  • SMNP (only the ENTITY-MIB and the IF-MIB)

  • IP ping

  • Interface features

    • Speed—10 Mb/s, 100 Mb/s, and autonegotiation

    • Duplex mode—Full, half, and autonegotiation

    • Loopback detection

  • Cisco Discovery Protocol (CDP)

  • DHCP relay agent

  • IPv4 access control lists (ACLs)


Caution

Before enabling a feature on the Ethernet management port, make sure that the feature is supported. If you try to configure an unsupported feature on the Ethernet Management port, the feature might not work properly, and the switch might fail.

How to Configure the Ethernet Management Port

Disabling and Enabling the Ethernet Management Port

SUMMARY STEPS

  1. configure terminal
  2. interface fastethernet0
  3. shutdown
  4. no shutdown
  5. exit
  6. show interfaces fastethernet0

DETAILED STEPS

  Command or Action Purpose
Step 1

configure terminal

Example:

Switch# configure terminal

Enters global configuration mode.

Step 2

interface fastethernet0

Example:

Switch(config)# interface fastethernet0

Specifies the Ethernet management port in the CLI.

Step 3

shutdown

Example:

Switch(config-if)# shutdown

Disables the Ethernet management port.

Step 4

no shutdown

Example:

Switch(config-if)# no shutdown

Enables the Ethernet management port.

Step 5

exit

Example:

Switch(config-if)# exit

Exits interface configuration mode.

Step 6

show interfaces fastethernet0

Example:

Switch# show interfaces fastethernet0

Displays the link status.

To find out the link status to the PC, you can monitor the LED for the Ethernet management port. The LED is green (on) when the link is active, and the LED is off when the link is down. The LED is amber when there is a POST failure.

What to do next

Proceed to manage or configure your switch using the Ethernet management port. Refer to the Catalyst 2960-X Switch Network Management Configuration Guide.

Additional References

Related Documents

Related Topic Document Title
Bootloader configuration

Catalyst 2960-X Switch System Management Configuration Guide

Bootloader commands

Catalyst 2960-X Switch System Management Configuration Guide

Error Message Decoder

Description Link

To help you research and resolve system error messages in this release, use the Error Message Decoder tool.

https://www.cisco.com/cgi-bin/Support/Errordecoder/index.cgi

MIBs

MIB MIBs Link

All the supported MIBs for this release.

To locate and download MIBs for selected platforms, Cisco IOS releases, and feature sets, use Cisco MIB Locator found at the following URL:

http://www.cisco.com/go/mibs

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Feature Information for Ethernet Management Ports

Release

Modification

Cisco IOS Release 15.0(2)EX

This feature was introduced.