Table Of Contents

Preface

Audience

Organization

Related Documentation

Conventions

Cisco Connection Online

Documentation CD-ROM

Preface

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This preface describes the audience, organization, and conventions of the Catalyst 2948G-L3 and Catalyst 4908G-L3 Software Feature and Configuration Guide, and provides information on how to obtain related documentation. This preface includes the following topics:

•Audience

•Organization

•Related Documentation

•Conventions

•Cisco Connection Online

•Documentation CD-ROM

Audience

This guide is written for the following users who will configure the Layer 3 switch router:

•System administrators who are responsible for installing and configuring internetworking equipment, are familiar with the fundamentals of router-based internetworking, and who are familiar with Cisco IOS software and Cisco products

•System administrators who are familiar with the fundamentals of router-based internetworking and who are responsible for installing and configuring internetworking equipment, but who might not be familiar with the specifics of Cisco products or the routing protocols supported by Cisco products

•Customers with technical networking background and experience

Organization

This guide is organized as follows:

Chapter	Title	Description
Chapter 1	Overview of Layer 3 Switching and Software Features	Gives an overview of Layer 3 switching, shows how the Layer 3 switch routers fit into the network, lists the types of interfaces used in Layer 3 switching, and lists Layer 3 software features.
Chapter 2	Before You Begin	Describes Cisco IOS command modes, lists the information you need to have available before you begin configuring your switch router, and gives you a suggested process to follow.
Chapter 3	Initial Switch Router Configurations	Describes the initial configuration of the Layer 3 switch routers, including passwords, console port, management port, and host name.This chapter also describes how to use a boot flash memory SIMM for various system administration tasks.
Chapter 4	Configuring Interfaces	Describes general interface configuration for Fast Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet interfaces.
Chapter 5	Configuring Virtual LAN Encapsulation	Describes how to configure VLAN frame encapsulation using ISL and 802.1Q protocols.
Chapter 6	Configuring Networking Protocols	Describes how to configure networking and routing protocols for Layer 3 switching.
Chapter 7	Configuring Bridging	Describes how to configure transparent bridging for Ethernet, and Integrated Routing and Bridging (IRB).
Chapter 8	Configuring EtherChannel	Describes how to configure EtherChannel and assign individual interfaces to the EtherChannel.
Chapter 9	Configuring Quality of Service	Describes Layer 3 switching quality of service (QoS) features and provides information to help you fine tune QoS on your system.
Chapter 10	Configuring Switching Database Manager	Describes the switching database manager (SDM) and explains how to configure SDM regions.
Appendix A	Command Reference	Lists and describes commands unique to Layer 3 switching.
Appendix B	System Error Messages	Provides an overview of system error messages and lists error messages for the Layer 3 switch routers.
Appendix C	Configuration Examples	Provides configuration examples for the Layer 3 switch routers.
Appendix D	Cisco IOS Commands Not Supported in Layer 3 Switching Software	Lists the commands not supported in Layer 3 switching.
Appendix E	Using Technical Support	Lists information the Technical Assistance Center (TAC) requires to troubleshoot a problem and tells you how to contact TAC.

Related Documentation

This software feature and configuration guide explains how to configure the Catalyst 2948G-L3 switch router and the Catalyst 4908G-L3 switch router. It does not cover every feature, but describes tasks most commonly required. More detailed information about Layer 3 switching software features can be found in the Cisco IOS configuration guides and command reference publications.

For the latest information about the software, including new features added since the documentation was printed and additional caveats about using the software, refer to the release notes that accompany the software.

For hardware installation information and complete descriptions of the Catalyst 2948G-L3 switch router and the Catalyst 4908G-L3 switch router, refer to the following:

•Catalyst 2948G-L3 Hardware Installation Guide

•Catalyst 4908-L3 Hardware Installation Guide

Conventions

This document uses the following conventions:

Convention	Description
boldface font	Commands and keywords are in boldface.
italic font	Arguments for which you supply values are in italics.
[   ]	Elements in square brackets are optional.
{x | y | z}	Alternative keywords are grouped in braces and separated by vertical bars.
[x | y | z]	Optional alternative keywords are grouped in brackets and separated by vertical bars.
string	A nonquoted set of characters. Do not use quotation marks around the string or the string will include the quotation marks.
screen font	Terminal sessions and information the system displays are in screen font.
boldface screen font	Information you must enter is in boldface screen font.
italic screen font	Arguments for which you supply values are in italic screen font.
^	The symbol ^ represents the key labeled Control—for example, the key combination ^D in a screen display means hold down the Control key while you press the D key.
<   >	Nonprinting characters, such as passwords, are in angle brackets.
[   ]	Default responses to system prompts are in square brackets.
!, #	An exclamation point ( ! ) or a pound sign ( # ) at the beginning of a line of code indicates a comment line.

Notes use the following conventions:

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Note Means reader take note. Notes contain helpful suggestions or references to material not covered in the publication.

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Timesavers use the following conventions:

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Timesaver Means the described action saves time. You can save time by performing the action described in the paragraph.

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Tips use the following conventions:

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Tips Means the following are useful tips.

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Cautions use the following conventions:

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

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Cisco Connection Online

Cisco Connection Online (CCO) is Cisco Systems' primary, real-time support channel. Maintenance customers and partners can self-register on CCO to obtain additional information and services.

Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, CCO provides a wealth of standard and value-added services to Cisco's customers and business partners. CCO services include product information, product documentation, software updates, release notes, technical tips, the Bug Navigator, configuration notes, brochures, descriptions of service offerings, and download access to public and authorized files.

CCO serves a wide variety of users through two interfaces that are updated and enhanced simultaneously: a character-based version and a multimedia version that resides on the World Wide Web (WWW). The character-based CCO supports Zmodem, Kermit, Xmodem, FTP, and Internet e-mail, and it is excellent for quick access to information over lower bandwidths. The WWW version of CCO provides richly formatted documents with photographs, figures, graphics, and video, as well as hyperlinks to related information.

You can access CCO in the following ways:

•WWW:  http://www.cisco.com

•WWW:  http://www-europe.cisco.com

•WWW:  http://www-china.cisco.com

•Telnet:  cco.cisco.com

•Modem:  From North America, 408 526-8070; from Europe, 33 1 64 46 40 82. Use the following terminal settings: VT100 emulation; databits: 8; parity: none; stop bits: 1; and connection rates up to 28.8 kbps.

For a copy of CCO's Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ), contact cco-help@cisco.com. For additional information, contact cco-team@cisco.com.

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Note If you are a network administrator and need personal technical assistance with a Cisco product that is under warranty or covered by a maintenance contract, contact Cisco's Technical Assistance Center (TAC) at 800 553-2447, 408 526-7209, or tac@cisco.com. To obtain general information about Cisco Systems, Cisco products, or upgrades, contact 800 553-6387, 408 526-7208, or cs-rep@cisco.com.

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Documentation CD-ROM

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