Preface

This preface describes the audience, organization, and conventions of the Layer 3 Switching 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 people who will configure your switch router, such as the following:

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	Describes and lists Layer 3 software features, and provides a primer on Cisco IOS software. Describes how to obtain technical support and how to order documentation.
Chapter 2	Before You Begin	Describes Cisco IOS command modes and gives you a roadmap to follow for configuring your switch router.
Chapter 3	Configuring the Catalyst 8540 CSR Route Processor	Describes the initial configuration of the Catalyst 8540 CSR route processor (RP) and how to use Flash PC Cards to accomplish various system administration tasks.
Chapter 4	Configuring the Catalyst 8510 CSR Switch Route Processor	Describes the initial configuration of the Catalyst 8510 CSR switch route processor (SRP) and how to use Flash PC Cards to accomplish various system administration tasks.
Chapter 5	Layer 3 Switching Interface Configurations	Describes general interface configuration for Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, and Gigabit Ethernet interfaces.
Chapter 6	Networking Protocol Configurations	Describes how to configure networking and routing protocols for Layer 3 switching.
Chapter 7	Bridging Configurations	Describes how to configure transparent bridging for Ethernet, and Integrated Routing and Bridging (IRB).
Chapter 8	EtherChannel Configurations	Describes how to create the EtherChannel and assign individual interfaces to the EtherChannel.
Chapter 9	Quality of Service Feature Summary	Describes Layer 3 switching Quality of Service (QoS) features and provides information to help you fine tune QoS on your system.
Appendix A	Cisco IOS Commands Not Supported in Layer 3 Switching Software	Lists the commands not supported in Layer 3 switching.
Appendix B	Layer 3 Switching Command Reference	Lists and describes commands unique to Layer 3 switching.
Appendix C	Comprehensive Configuration Examples	Provides examples of switch router configurations.
Appendix D	Using Technical Support	Lists information the Technical Assistance Center (TAC) requires to troubleshoot a problem, and tells you how to contact TAC.

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.
	`This pointer highlights an important line of text in an example.`
^	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:

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

Timesavers use the following conventions:

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

Tips use the following conventions:

Tip

Means the following are useful tips.

Cautions use the following conventions:

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

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.

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.

Documentation CD-ROM

Cisco documentation and additional literature are available in a CD-ROM package, which ships with your product. The Documentation CD-ROM, a member of the Cisco Connection Family, is updated monthly. Therefore, it might be more current than printed documentation. To order additional copies of the Documentation CD-ROM, contact your local sales representative or call customer service. The CD-ROM package is available as a single package or as an annual subscription. You can also access Cisco documentation on the World Wide Web at http://www.cisco.com, http://www-china.cisco.com, or http://www-europe.cisco.com.

If you are reading Cisco product documentation on the World Wide Web, you can submit comments electronically. Click Feedback in the toolbar and select Documentation. After you complete the form, click Submit to send it to Cisco. We appreciate your comments.

Table of Contents

Preface

Audience

Organization

Related Documentation

Related Catalyst 8540 and 8510 Campus Switch Router Documents

Related Catalyst 8540 Multiservice Switch Router Documents

Conventions

Cisco Connection Online

Documentation CD-ROM