Router and Switch Configuration

Router and Switch Configuration

(Your name)

University of Phoenix

(IT/XXX)

This paper will describe and discuss the basics of router and switch configuration in the IT environment. The discussion will include the basic installation, set-up, and configuring of these devices, as well as their use in a VLAN. The Cisco brand of products will be showcased in this discussion so as to be adhering to the nuances of this brand. This also to say that most (but not all); brands may share identical traits and similarities in their design and function.

The basic set-up for the series of Cisco switches is similar but not exact. To initialize the interface console, start by connecting and powering up the switch to a PC or workstation modem with the product matched adapters and cables. Since the switch has no previous passwords assigned to it, it will need to be assigned one by the administrator for the purpose of operating it, or until it is connected to a group, in which it will provide access to the console. Next, to assign a IP address for the function of remote management and VLAN configuration, the console menu shows what to select in choosing the appropriate task which would be to "enable" the configuration of the IP address command. Furthermore this function enables ping command when used in troubleshooting problematic connectivity issues. More general settings are noted such as MAC address, port security, save configuration, and default setting.

Creating a VLAN is similar in the sense that the Interface Configuration Mode console will display a set of configuring commands to choose. Typing the VLAN membership command will allow you to add or delete ports to connecting LAN's. Describing the Spanning Tree Protocol is as follows: "Spanning-Tree Protocol is a link management protocol that provides path redundancy while preventing undesirable loops in the network. For an Ethernet network to function properly, only one active path can exist between two stations. Multiple active paths between stations cause loops in the network. If a loop exists in the network topology, the potential exists for duplication of messages. When loops occur, some switches see stations appear on both sides of the switch. This condition confuses the forwarding algorithm and allows duplicate frames to be forwarded. To provide path redundancy, Spanning-Tree Protocol defines a tree that spans all switches in an extended network. Spanning-Tree Protocol forces certain redundant data paths into a standby (blocked) state. If one network segment in the Spanning-Tree Protocol becomes unreachable, or if Spanning-Tree Protocol costs change, the spanning-tree algorithm reconfigures the spanning-tree topology and reestablishes the link by activating the standby path. Spanning-Tree Protocol operation is transparent to end stations, which are unaware whether they are connected to a single LAN segment or a switched LAN of multiple segments." (http://www.cisco.com/univercd/cc/td/doc/product/rtrmgmt/sw_ntman/cwsimain/cwsi2/cwsiug2/vlan2/stpapp.htm )

Once the router is powered up, it will display a "System Configuration Dialog" which allows for the set-up and command interface action. If the router is displaying current user settings that are sufficient, then no changes are needed. These values (hostname, enable secret, Virtual Terminal Passwords, etc.)