Table of Contents

Troubleshooting the Switch Router

Troubleshooting the Switch Router

This appendix describes how to troubleshoot the installation of the switch router and contains these sections:

• Verifying Operations at Startup
  
  
• Identifying Startup Problems
  
  
• Problem Solving at the Component Level
  
  
• Troubleshooting the Power Supply
  
  
• Contacting Customer Service
  
  

If your switch router has problems starting up, use the information in this appendix to help isolate the cause. Problems with the initial startup are often caused by poor or improper connections. Although temperature conditions above the maximum acceptable level rarely occur at initial startup, environmental monitoring functions are included.

Verifying Operations at Startup

Verify the following after the system starts up:

• Power supplies are operating properly.
  
  
• System fan assembly is operating.
  
  
• System software is booting successfully.
  
  

If any of these conditions are not met, use the procedures in this chapter to isolate and, if possible, resolve the problem. To configure the software, refer to the Catalyst 2948G-L3 and Catalyst 4908G-L3 Software Feature and Configuration Guide.

Identifying Startup Problems

LEDs indicate all switch states in the startup sequence. By checking the LEDs, you can determine when and where the switch failed in the startup sequence.

When you connect the power cords to the switch router, follow these steps to check operation of the equipment:

Step 2   Check the power supply LEDs. The power supply LED should turn green immediately when power is on. The LED should remain on during normal switch router operation. If the LED turns red, see the "Troubleshooting the Power Supply" section.

Step 3   Check the LEDs on the front panel. See the "LEDs" section for LED descriptions.

Step 4   Verify that the terminal is set correctly and that it is connected properly to the console port if the boot information and switch banner are not displayed.

Step 5   Contact a customer service representative for instructions if a status LED indicates a failure.

Problem Solving at the Component Level

The key to success when troubleshooting the switch router is to isolate the problem to a specific switch component. The first step is to compare what the switch router is doing to what it should be doing. Because a startup problem is usually attributed to a single component, it is more efficient to isolate the problem to a subsystem rather than troubleshoot each separate component in the switch.

The switch router consists of the following subsystems:

• The power supplies and power supply fans
  

These should operate whenever system power is on (see "Troubleshooting the Power Supply" section).

• The chassis fan assembly
  

These should operate when the system power is on. Usually, it continues to operate even when the environmental monitor shuts down the switch router because of an overtemperature or overvoltage condition (although it does shut down for a power supply shutdown).

The following are simple checks you can make to determine if there is a fan problem:

• Check if the software is reporting a temperature problem.
  
  
• Listen to the fan assembly to determine if it is operating.
  
  
• Check for any obstructions restricting airflow through the switch.
  
  

If you determine that the fan is not operating, you should contact a customer
service representative.

Troubleshooting the Power Supply

To help isolate a power supply problem, follow these steps:

• If the LED is off or if the LED is red, unplug the power cord, and then plug the power cord in.
  
  
• If the LED remains off, there might be a problem with the AC source or the power cable. Connect the power cord to another power source if one is available.
  
  
• If the LED comes on, the problem is the first power source.
  
  
• If the LED is off after you connect the power supply to a new power source, then replace the power cord.
  
  
• If the LED still fails to light when the switch router is connected to a different power source with a new power cord, the power supply is probably faulty.
  
  

Step 2   Check the LED on the redundant power supply (RPS).

• If the LED is not green or on, repeat the previous procedure to troubleshoot the second power supply.
  
  
• If you are unable to resolve the problem, contact a customer service representative for instructions.
  
  

Note   To use a Cisco RPS, apply power to the Cisco RPS and the Catalyst 4908G-L3 switch router. Refer to the Cisco RPS documentation for installation and configuration details.

Contacting Customer Service

If you are unable to solve a startup problem after using the troubleshooting suggestions in this chapter, contact a customer service representative for assistance and further instructions. Before you call, have the following information ready to help your service provider assist you as quickly as possible:

• Date you received the switch router
  
  
• Chassis serial number (located on a label on the right of the rear panel of the chassis)
  
  
• Type of software and release number
  
  
• Maintenance agreement or warranty information
  
  
• Brief description of the problem
  
  
• Brief explanation of the steps you have already taken to isolate and resolve the problem
  
  

For more information on contacting customer service, see the "Obtaining Technical Assistance" section.