Configuring the Switch Route Processor for the Catalyst 8510 and Using Flash Memory Cards

The switch route processor (SRP) provides the intelligence to the Catalyst 8510, interfacing with the switch fabric through the backplane. The SRP runs elements of Cisco IOS software for high-speed Layer 3 switching, including the Cisco Express Forwarding table, routing protocol control, and dynamic IP multicast. The SRP also supports the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) and the many Management Information Bases (MIBs) that manage the device.

The switch route processor uses a 100-MHz MIPS R4600 processing subsystem. The SRP supports a dual-height Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA) Flash memory Type II slot, which you can use for a variety of Flash EPROM modules, for adding from 8 MB to 20 MB of additional memory, and for supporting larger Cisco IOS images. This chapter also describes how you can use Flash memory cards to program switches with standard configuration parameters. (Flash memory cards are not required for the operation of the Catalyst 8510 campus switch router.)

The SRP resides in slot 2.

Before You Begin

Before you begin to configure the switch route processor, complete all the interface and power connections described in the Catalyst 8510 Campus Switch Router Chassis Installation Guide and the line module connections described in the Catalyst 8510 Campus Switch Router Processor and Line Module Installation Guide.

You can configure the Catalyst 8510 campus switch router from a direct console connection to the console port or remotely through the Ethernet interface on the switch route processor.

Note The Ethernet interface on the SRP does not route or bridge traffic to other Ethernet ports on the Catalyst 8510. This Ethernet port is a management port only and should not be configured as a routing port.

If you are using a direct console connection, configure your terminal emulation program for 9600 baud, 8 data bits, no parity, and 1 stop bit.
If you are using the Ethernet interface, you need to assign an IP address to the Ethernet interface.

The Ethernet interface allows multiple simultaneous Telnet sessions or SNMP network management for the switch. Ethernet interface configuration instructions are described later in this chapter in the section "Configuring the SRP Ethernet Interface."

Powering Up the System

Before you power up the system, make sure you have completed these tasks:

Check that the system is set for the correct AC power voltages.

Refer to the appendix "System Chassis Specifications" in the Catalyst 8510 Campus Switch Router Chassis Installation Guide for correct AC power voltages.

Connect the cables to the system.
Configure your terminal emulation program for 9600 baud, 8 data bits, no parity, and 1 stop bit.

All configuration tasks are performed from your terminal emulation program window.

1. Power up your console and Catalyst 8510 campus switch router.

Messages appear in your terminal emulation program window.

Note The messages vary, depending on the Cisco IOS release and feature set you selected.

2. Enter the show hardware command to verify the installed hardware part and serial numbers.

The Catalyst 8510 campus switch router should now be operating correctly and transferring data. To confirm that the hardware and software installation and configuration procedures were successful, refer to "Checking the Switch Route Processor Installation" in the Catalyst 8510 Campus Switch Router Processor and Line Module Installation Guide.

Configuring the SRP Ethernet Interface

The Ethernet port on the SRP is a management port. You can remotely configure the Catalyst 8510 campus switch router through the Ethernet interface, but first you must configure an IP address on the Ethernet interface so that it is reachable. There are two ways to configure the Ethernet interface: manually from the command-line interface (CLI) or automatically from a BOOTP server.

Manual Configuration

This configuration sequence describes the following tasks:

Setting the enable password
Discovering the MAC address of the SRP
Entering configuration mode on the SRP management port
Entering the IP address and subnet mask for the management port
Entering line configuration mode for virtual terminal connections

Before you begin to manually configure the SRP interface, obtain its IP address and IP subnet mask.

Step	Command	Description
1	`Router>` enable `Router#`	To enter enable mode the first time, just enter enable. The # prompt indicates you are in enable mode.
2	`Router#` enable-password password	Set the enable password.
3	`Router#` show interface ethernet0	Issue the show interface ethernet0 command to discover the switch router's MAC address. The console cable must be connected to the system.
4	`Router#` configure terminal `Router(config)#`	Enter global configuration mode. You can also abbreviate the command to config t. The prompt `Router(config)#` indicates that you are in global configuration mode.
5	`Router(config)#` interfaceethernet0	Enter interface configuration mode on the Ethernet interface Ethernet0 (the management port on the RP).
6	`Router(config-if)#` ip addressipaddress subnetmask	Enter the IP address and IP subnet mask for the Ethernet interface.
7	`Router(config-if)#` exit `Router(config)#`	Return to global configuration mode.
8	`Router(config)#` line vty 0 4	Enter line configuration mode for virtual terminal connections. Commands entered in this mode control the operation of Telnet sessions to the Catalyst 8510 campus switch router.
9	`Router`(config-line)# password password	Enter a password for Telnet sessions.
10	`Router`(config-line)# Ctrl-Z `Router`#	Return to privileged EXEC mode.

Configuring the BOOTP Server

You can set up the Catalyst 8510 campus switch router to retrieve its Ethernet IP address from a BOOTP server. Add the MAC and Ethernet IP addresses to the BOOTP configuration file on the BOOTP server so that the Catalyst 8510 campus switch router can retrieve an Ethernet IP address from the BOOTP server.

The switch router performs a BOOTP request only if the current IP address is set to 0.0.0.0 on the switch. (This setting is the default for a new switch or a switch without a configuration file.)

Step	Command	Description
1	—	Install the BOOTP server code on the workstation (BOOTP server) if it is not already installed.
2	—	Note the switch router's MAC address, which you can find by issuing a show hardware command.
3	—	Add an entry to the BOOTP configuration file (usually /usr/etc/bootptab) for each switch. Press Enter after each entry to create a blank line between each entry. (See the following example BOOTP configuration file.)
4	`Router>` enable `Password:` `Router#`	Enter privileged EXEC mode.
5	`Router#` reload	Reload the Catalyst 8510 campus switch router to request the IP address from the BOOTP server.

Example BOOTP Configuration File

# /etc/bootptab: database for bootp server (/etc/bootpd)
#
# Blank lines and lines beginning with '#' are ignored.
#
# Legend:
#
#       first field -- hostname
#                       (may be full domain name and probably should be)
#
#       hd -- home directory
#       bf -- bootfile
#       cs -- cookie servers
#       ds -- domain name servers
#       gw -- gateways
#       ha -- hardware address
#       ht -- hardware type
#       im -- impress servers
#       ip -- host IP address
#       lg -- log servers
#       lp -- LPR servers
#       ns -- IEN-116 name servers
#       rl -- resource location protocol servers
#       sm -- subnet mask
#       tc -- template host (points to similar host entry)
#       to -- time offset (seconds)
#       ts -- time servers
#
# Be careful about including backslashes where they're needed. Unexpected
# things can happen when a backslash is omitted where one is intended.
#
# First, we define a global entry which specifies the information every host uses.
 
<Additional display messages omitted.>
 
#########################################################################
# Start of individual host entries
#########################################################################
switch:         tc=netcisco0:   ha=0000.0ff7.ff00:      ip=172.68.16.02:
dross:          tc=netcisco0:   ha=00000cdef000:        ip=172.68.16.10:
 
<Additional display messages omitted.>

Setting the Enable and Enable Secret Passwords

One of the first configuration tasks we recommend is to set the enable and enable secret passwords.

On systems running Cisco IOS, you must enter the enable secret password to enter privileged mode. You must also enter the secret password when using the boot ROM software.

Enable password: a less secure, or nonencrypted, password.
Enable secret password: a very secure, encrypted password.

By setting an encrypted password, you can prevent unauthorized configuration changes.

The enable and enable secret password functionality is available in all Cisco IOS releases for the Catalyst 8510 campus switch routers. When you are running from the boot ROM, the enable password might be used, depending on your ROM level.

The passwords should be different for maximum security. If you enter the same password for both during the setup script, the system will accept it, but you will receive a warning message indicating that you should enter a different password.

An enable password can contain any number of uppercase and lowercase alphanumeric characters; an enable secret password can contain from 1 to 25 uppercase and lowercase alphanumeric characters. In both cases, a number cannot be the first character. Spaces are also valid password characters; for example, "two words" is a valid password. Leading spaces are ignored; trailing spaces are recognized.

Step	Command	Description
1	`Router>#` enable `Router#`	To enter enable mode the first time, enter enable. The # prompt indicates you are in privileged EXEC mode.
2	`Router#` configure terminal `Router(config)#`	Enter global configuration mode. You can also abbreviate the command to config t. The prompt `Router(config)#` indicates that you are in global configuration mode.
3	`Router (config)#` enable-password password	Set the enable password.
4	`Router(config)#` enable secret new password	Enter an enable secret password. Once set, a user must enter the enable secret password to gain access to global configuration mode.

Configuring the Host Name and Clock

In addition to the system passwords and enable password, system parameters such as the host name and current time and date should be set as part of the initial system configuration. These system parameters make it easier to configure and troubleshoot the switch router.

Step	Command	Description
1	`Router#` clock sethh:mm:ss month day year	From privileged EXEC mode, set the current time in 24-hour format, in which hh:mm:ss is the time in hours, minutes, and seconds. For example, 1:30 p.m. is 13:30:00 in 24-hour format.
2	`Router#` configure terminal `Router(config)#`	Enter global configuration mode.
3	`Router(config)#` hostnamename_string	Enter a system name. In this example, we set the hostname to "8510," which is the hostname used throughout this guide.
4	`8510(config)#` enable password password	Enter an enable password to restrict configuration changes. Give this password to users permitted to make configuration changes to the Catalyst 8510 campus switch router.
5	`8510(config)#` end `8510#`	Return to privileged EXEC mode.

Using Flash Memory Cards

You can copy, delete, and configure files between the onboard Flash memory Single In-Line Memory Module (SIMM), Flash memory cards, and network servers. The following sections provide information about the memory file system commands to accomplish these tasks.

Viewing the Contents of Flash Memory

This section describes some of the commands you can use with the onboard Flash memory SIMM (bootflash) and Flash memory cards.

Enter the pwd privileged EXEC command to determine which file system device you are accessing:

8510# pwd

bootflash

Enter the cd [bootflash: | slot0: | slot1:] privileged EXEC command to move between Flash memory media:

8510# cd slot0:

8510# pwd

slot0
8510#

Enter the dir [bootflash: | slot0: | slot1:] privileged EXEC command to list the directory of any Flash memory media:

8510# dir

-#- -length- -----date/time------ name
1   5393     May 04 1998 15:32:57 startup-config
2   1814648  Jun 15 1998 10:29:34 cat8510c-in-mz.111-3.005
3   1819888  Jul 20 1998 15:22:21 cat8510c-in-mz.111-3.018
 
2428436 bytes available (5566956 bytes used)
8510#

Deleting Files from Flash Memory

Enter the delete privileged EXEC command to mark a file for deletion from any Flash memory media.

Caution When deleting files from memory, do not delete all the system images. If you delete all existing system images, you can no longer download any new images.

8510# delete cat8510c-in-mz.111-3.005

8510# dir

-#- -length- -----date/time------ name
1   5393     May 04 1998 15:32:57 startup-config
3   1819888  Jul 20 1998 15:22:21 cat8510c-in-mz.111-3.018
 
2428436 bytes available (5566956 bytes used)
8510#

Note Deleted files are marked for deletion, but still occupy space in Flash memory. To remove them, enter the squeeze command.

The squeeze command permanently removes files marked for deletion, and pushes all other undeleted files together to eliminate spaces between them:

8510# squeeze slot0:

All deleted files will be removed, proceed? [confirm] y

Squeeze operation may take a while, proceed? [confirm] Y

ebESESESESESESESES
8510 #dir

-#- -length- -----date/time------ name
1   5393     Apr 20 1998 15:32:57 startup-config
2   2819888  Aug 20 1998 15:22:21 cat8510c-in-mz.111-3.018
 
6169852 bytes available (1825540 bytes used)

e	This special location has been erased (which must be performed before any write operation).
b	The data about to be written to this special location was temporarily copied.
E	The sector temporarily occupied by the data was erased.
S	The data was written to its permanent location in Flash memory.

In this output, the characters indicate the following:

To prevent data loss due to sudden power loss, the "squeezed" data is temporarily saved to another location of Flash memory specifically allocated for that purpose.

The squeeze command operation keeps a log of the functions performed so that if a power failure occurs, the system continues the process when the power resumes. The character "Z" indicates this log was erased after the squeeze command operation was successfully completed.

Formatting a Flash Memory Card

A Flash memory card, which must be ordered as a spare part, is blank and must be formatted before use.

To format a Flash memory card, follow these steps:

Step 1 To copy any important files on the Flash memory card to a TFTP server before reformatting the card, enter the copy flash tftp EXEC command.

The formatting procedure erases all information on the Flash memory card.

Step 2 Insert the Flash memory card into slot 0. (If slot 0 is not available, use slot 1.)

For more information, refer to the section "Installing and Removing Flash Memory Cards" in the Catalyst 8510 Campus Switch Router Processor and Line Module Installation Guide.

Step 3 Enter the format slot0: (or format slot1:) privileged EXEC command:

8510# format slot0:

All sectors will be erased, proceed? [confirm]
Enter volume ID (up to 30 characters): MyNewCard

Formatting sector 1
Format device slot0 completed

The new Flash memory card is now formatted and ready to use.

Note In this example, an 8-MB Flash memory card was used, and at the line "Formatting sector," the system counted the card's sectors backward from 64 to 1 as it formatted them. For 16-MB Flash memory cards, the system counts backward from 128 to 1; for 20-MB Flash memory cards, the system counts backward from 160 to 1.

Copying Bootable Images

As future releases of Cisco IOS system images become available, you can receive them either as a file booted from a network server, a file on a floppy disk, or a file on a Flash memory card.

The example that follows describes how to use a new image on a Flash memory card in slot 1 in a system that has an old image on a Flash memory card in slot 0, and a default boot image on the onboard Flash memory.

In the example, there are three files:

The new image on the Flash memory card in slot 1 is image.new.
The old image on the Flash memory card in slot 0 is image.old.
The bootable image on the onboard Flash memory is image.boot.

The example that follows assumes that the new image fits on the Flash memory card in slot 0, next to the old image. However, if there is not enough space, follow these steps:

Step 1 Use the delete command to mark the files for deletion from the Flash memory card until there is enough room for the new image; however, do not delete the image.old file.

Step 2 Enter the squeeze command to remove the files marked for deletion from the Flash memory card.

Step 3 If, after you delete the files and use the squeeze command, the two files cannot coexist on the Flash memory card in slot 0, remove the card, then insert the new Flash memory card (with the file image.new) in slot 0.

Step 4 Enter the boot system flash slot0:image.new command to designate the file image.new as the default boot image.

Step 5 Make sure both Flash memory cards are installed in slots 0 and 1, and power up the Catalyst 8510 switch router.

To copy the new image from the new Flash memory card in slot 1 onto the Flash memory card in slot 0 that contains the old image, follow these steps:

Step	Command	Description
1	`8510#` copy slot1:image.new slot0:image.new	From privileged EXEC mode, copy the file image.new in slot 1 to the Flash memory card in slot 0 only if there is enough memory space for the two images to coexist.
2	`8510#` configure terminal `8510(config)#`	Enter global configuration mode.
3	`8510(config)#` no boot system	Disable booting from bootflash.
4	`8510(config)#` boot system flashslot0:image.new `8510(config)#` Ctrl-Z `8510#`	Enable booting from the file image.new on the Flash memory card in slot 0.
5	`8510#` copy running-config startup-config	Save the configuration to NVRAM.
6	`8510(config)#` reload	Reboot the system. When the system reloads, it boots the file image.new from the Flash memory card in slot 0.

Booting from a Flash Memory Card

When you enter boot commands, be careful not to insert extra spaces because they influence the way the switch router interprets the command. For example, notice the difference in the following commands:

This is the correct command, which instructs the switch router to boot the file specified: image1.

1. 8510(config)# boot system flash slot0:image1

The following command is incorrect because there is a space between "slot0:" and "image2." The switch router finds the filename field blank and so boots the first file on the Flash memory card.

2. 8510(config)# boot system flash slot0: image2

To enable booting from a Flash memory card, follow these steps:

Step	Command	Description
1	`8510(config)#` boot system flash slot0:image.new	From global configuration mode, enable booting from the file image.new on the Flash memory card in slot 0.
2	`8510(config)#` config-reg 0x2102	Disable the Break key.
3	`8510#` copy running-config startup-config	Save the configuration to NVRAM.
4	`8510#` reload	Reboot the system. When the system reloads, it boots the file image.new from the Flash memory card in slot 0.

Backing Up a System Image to a TFTP Server

You can copy system images from the Flash memory to a Trivial File Transfer Protocol (TFTP) server. You can use this server copy of the system image as a backup copy, or you can use it to verify that the copy in Flash is the same as the original file on disk.

In some implementations of TFTP, you must create a dummy file on the TFTP server and give it read, write, and execute permissions before copying the file over it. Refer to your TFTP documentation for more information.

Step	Command	Description
1	`8510#` cd slot 0:	From privileged EXEC mode, change Flash device to slot 0 on the Flash memory card.
2	`8510)#` pwd `slot0`	Verify that you are in the slot 0 directory.
3	`8510#` show flash all `# cat8510c-in-mz_111-1`	If you do not already know it, note the exact spelling of the system image filename in Flash memory. Use the show flash all command to display the contents of Flash memory. Note the name of the image file you want to copy. In this example, the system image is named cat8510c-in-mz_111-1.
4	`8510#` copy flash tftp:	Copy a file from Flash memory to a TFTP server. Be sure to include a colon at the end of the tftp parameter as shown in this example
5	`Enter source filename:` cat8510c-in-mz_111-1	Enter the name of the system image.
6	`Enter destination filename: [cat8510c-in-mz_111-1]:`	Enter the destination filename. You can accept the default filename in square brackets or enter a new filename.
7	`Address or name of remote host: [172.68.16.129]?` `8510#`	Enter the domain name or IP address of the TFTP server. You can accept the default address in square brackets or enter a new address.

Copying a System Image from a TFTP Server to a Flash Memory Card

In the event that the software image on a Catalyst 8510 switch router becomes corrupted, it is a good idea to have a copy of the current system image on a Flash memory card. You can then replace the system software by copying the image from a Flash memory card to the onboard Flash memory.

Before you begin, be sure to insert a properly formatted Flash memory card into slot 0.

Step	Command	Description
1	`8510#` cd slot0:	From privileged EXEC mode, change the Flash device to slot 0 on the Flash memory card.
2	`8510)#` pwd `slot0`	Verify that you are in the slot 0 directory.
3	`8510#` copy tftp flash	Copy a file from a TFTP server to Flash memory.
4	`Enter source filename:` cat8510c-in_mz_111-1	You are prompted to enter the name of the system image.
5	`Enter destination filename: [cat8510c-in-mz_111_1]:`	Enter the destination filename. You can accept the default filename in square brackets or enter a new filename.
6	`5746016 bytes available on device slot0, proceed? [confirm]` y	Enter y if enough space exists in Flash memory for the file you want to copy.
7	`Address or name of remote host: [172.68.16.129]?`	Enter the domain name or IP address of the TFTP server. You can accept the default address in square brackets or enter a new address.

Saving Configuration Changes to NVRAM

Whenever you make changes to the switch router configuration, you must save the changes; if you do not, the changes are lost if the system is reloaded or the power goes out. The two types of configuration files are stored in different forms of memory: the running configuration is stored in RAM; the startup configuration is stored in NVRAM.

To save your configuration changes to NVRAM so that they are not lost during a power cycle or power outage, follow these steps:

Step	Command	Description
1	`8510#` show running	Check the settings you have configured so far.
2	`8510#` copy running startup	If the settings are what you want, save the configuration to NVRAM.
3	`8510#` Ctrl-Z `8510>`	Return to user EXEC mode.