Cisco Catalyst 9200L Series switches, commonly referred to as Cisco C9200L, are part of the Catalyst 9000 family. These switches are designed to offer enterprise-level solutions at a more affordable price. With advanced security features, automation capabilities, and enhanced scalability, the C9200L series stands as a reliable backbone for growing network infrastructures. This article explores how to configure the Cisco C9200L switch, covering everything from initial setup to advanced features.
The Cisco C9200L Series switches are Layer 2 and Layer 3 switches designed for mid-sized enterprises. They offer essential features such as enhanced security, flexible management options, and seamless integration into existing networks. These switches support a variety of configurations that allow network administrators to fine-tune them based on specific needs.
Key features of Cisco C9200L include:
Modular uplinks
Support for Cisco DNA (Digital Network Architecture)
Enhanced security through encryption, threat detection, and segmentation
High availability with redundant power supplies and fans
Before diving into the configuration process, it’s essential to understand the hardware components of the C9200L switch. Each part plays a role in the switch’s performance and management capabilities.
Important hardware components include:
Uplinks:The C9200L series offers modular uplink ports supporting1G, 10G, and 25G speeds.
Stacking Ports:These switches can stack up to eight units, providing high scalability and redundancy.
Power Supply:Each switch comes with an internal, field-replaceable power supply, ensuring operational flexibility.
Fan Tray:The fan tray is replaceable, maintaining airflow and cooling efficiency within the switch.
After unboxing and physically connecting the Cisco C9200L switch, the first step is to access the switch for initial configuration. There are multiple ways to do this, but using the console port is the most common method for new deployments.
Steps to access the switch:
Connect via Console:Use a console cable to connect your PC or laptop to the switch’s console port.
Terminal Emulator Software:Use a terminal emulator like PuTTY or Tera Term. Set the terminal to the following parameters:
Baud rate:9600
Data bits:8
Parity:ninguno
Stop bits: 1
Flow control:ninguno
Power Up the Switch:Turn on the switch. As it boots, you will see output on the terminal emulator.
Enter Initial Configuration Dialog:When prompted, enterNo
to skip the initial configuration wizard and proceed to manual configuration.
Once the switch is powered up and accessible via the console, it’s time to proceed with basic configuration tasks. This includes setting a hostname, configuring IP addresses, and securing the switch.
Setting a unique hostname helps in identifying the switch, especially in large networks.
Switch> enable
Switch# configure terminal
Switch(config)# hostname C9200L-Switch
C9200L-Switch(config)#
The default VLAN (VLAN 1) is used for management purposes. Assign an IP address to the management interface so the switch can be accessed over the network.
C9200L-Switch(config)# interface vlan 1
C9200L-Switch(config-if)# ip address 192.168.1.2 255.255.255.0
C9200L-Switch(config-if)# no shutdown
C9200L-Switch(config-if)# exit
4.3 Configuring Default Gateway
Setting the default gateway is crucial so the switch can communicate with devices outside its local network.
C9200L-Switch(config)# ip default-gateway 192.168.1.1
Security is one of the most critical aspects of network management. Cisco switches offer several ways to secure access and prevent unauthorized configuration changes.
Setting passwords for console and VTY (remote access) lines ensures that only authorized personnel can make changes to the switch.
C9200L-Switch(config)# line console 0
C9200L-Switch(config-line)# password ConsolePassword
C9200L-Switch(config-line)# login
C9200L-Switch(config-line)# exit
C9200L-Switch(config)# line vty 0 4
C9200L-Switch(config-line)# password VTYPassword
C9200L-Switch(config-line)# login
C9200L-Switch(config-line)# exit
The enable password protects privileged EXEC mode.
C9200L-Switch(config)# enable secret EnableSecretPassword
Secure Shell (SSH) allows for encrypted remote management of the switch. First, generate cryptographic keys, and then enable SSH.
C9200L-Switch(config)# crypto key generate rsa modulus 1024
C9200L-Switch(config)# ip domain-name mydomain.com
C9200L-Switch(config)# username admin privilege 15 secret AdminPassword
C9200L-Switch(config)# line vty 0 4
C9200L-Switch(config-line)# transport input ssh
C9200L-Switch(config-line)# login local
C9200L-Switch(config-line)# exit
C9200L-Switch(config)# ip ssh version 2
Virtual LANs (VLANs) segment a network, improving both performance and security. In most enterprise environments, VLANs are configured to separate different types of traffic.
Let’s create a VLAN and assign it to an interface.
C9200L-Switch(config)# vlan 10
C9200L-Switch(config-vlan)# name Sales
C9200L-Switch(config-vlan)# exit
C9200L-Switch(config)# interface gigabitEthernet 1/0/1
C9200L-Switch(config-if)# switchport mode access
C9200L-Switch(config-if)# switchport access vlan 10
C9200L-Switch(config-if)# exit
Trunk ports allow VLAN traffic to pass between switches. Here’s how to configure a port as a trunk.
C9200L-Switch(config)# interface gigabitEthernet 1/0/24
C9200L-Switch(config-if)# switchport mode trunk
C9200L-Switch(config-if)# switchport trunk allowed vlan 10,20
C9200L-Switch(config-if)# exit
Port security restricts devices that can connect to the network through the switch. This is particularly useful for preventing unauthorized access.
To enable port security on an interface and limit it to a single MAC address:
C9200L-Switch(config)# interface gigabitEthernet 1/0/2
C9200L-Switch(config-if)# switchport mode access
C9200L-Switch(config-if)# switchport port-security
C9200L-Switch(config-if)# switchport port-security maximum 1
C9200L-Switch(config-if)# switchport port-security violation restrict
C9200L-Switch(config-if)# switchport port-security mac-address sticky
This configuration locks the first MAC address that connects to the port, and if another device tries to connect, the port will restrict access.
Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) is crucial for preventing loops in the network, which can cause network disruptions. The C9200L switch supports multiple instances of STP.
Rapid Per-VLAN Spanning Tree Plus (Rapid PVST+) is a Cisco-proprietary enhancement of STP.
C9200L-Switch(config)# spanning-tree mode rapid-pvst
Quality of Service (QoS) ensures that critical network traffic, such as voice or video, gets priority over less important traffic.
C9200L-Switch(config)# qos
After making all necessary changes, it's vital to save the configuration to ensure the switch retains the settings after a reboot.
C9200L-Switch# write memory
Even with the best configurations, issues may arise. Cisco provides several commands to help diagnose and troubleshoot common network problems.
Show Running Configuration:
C9200L-Switch# show running-config
Show IP Interface Brief:
C9200L-Switch# show ip interface brief
Show Spanning Tree:
C9200L-Switch# show spanning-tree
Configuring the Cisco C9200L switch is an essential task for network administrators aiming to maximize performance, security, and reliability. From initial setup to advanced configurations such as VLANs, SSH access, and STP, the Cisco C9200L provides powerful features that cater to both small and large enterprise networks. By following best practices in securing and managing the switch, you can ensure a robust and scalable network infrastructure.
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