Configuring Ethernet Management Port

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Prerequisites for Ethernet Management Ports

When connecting a PC to the Ethernet management port, you must first assign an IP address.

Information about the Ethernet Management Port

The Ethernet management port, also referred to as the Fa0 or fastethernet0 port, is a Layer 3 host port to which you can connect a PC. You can use the Ethernet management port instead of the switch console port for network management. When managing a switch stack, connect the PC to the Ethernet management port on a stack member.

Ethernet Management Port Direct Connection to a Switch

Figure 1. Connecting a Switch to a PC. This figure displays how to connect the Ethernet management port to the PC for a switch or a standalone switch.

Ethernet Management Port Connection to Stack Switches using a Hub

In a stack with only stack switches, all the Ethernet management ports on the stack members are connected to a hub to which the PC is connected. The active link is from the Ethernet management port on the active switchstack masterthrough the hub, to the PC. If the activeswitch fails and a new active switch is elected, the active link is now from the Ethernet management port on the new active switch to the PC.

Figure 2. Connecting a Switch Stack to a PC. This figure displays how a PC uses a hub to connect to a switch stack.

Ethernet Management Port and Routing

By default, the Ethernet management port is enabled. The switch cannot route packets from the Ethernet management port to a network port, and the reverse. Even though the Ethernet management port does not support routing, you may need to enable routing protocols on the port.

Figure 3. Network Example with Routing Protocols Enabled. Enable routing protocols on the Ethernet management port when the PC is multiple hops away from the switch and the packets must pass through multiple Layer 3 devices to reach the PC.

In the above figure , if the Ethernet management port and the network ports are associated with the same routing process, the routes are propagated as follows:

  • The routes from the Ethernet management port are propagated through the network ports to the network.

  • The routes from the network ports are propagated through the Ethernet management port to the network.

Because routing is not supported between the Ethernet management port and the network ports, traffic between these ports cannot be sent or received. If this happens, data packet loops occur between the ports, which disrupt the switch and network operation. To prevent the loops, configure route filters to avoid routes between the Ethernet management port and the network ports.

Supported Features on the Ethernet Management Port

The Ethernet management port supports these features:

  • Express Setup (only in switch stacks)

  • Network Assistant

  • Telnet with passwords

  • TFTP

  • Secure Shell (SSH)

  • DHCP-based autoconfiguration

  • SMNP (only the ENTITY-MIB and the IF-MIB)

  • IP ping

  • Interface features

    • Speed—10 Mb/s, 100 Mb/s, and autonegotiation

    • Duplex mode—Full, half, and autonegotiation

    • Loopback detection

  • Cisco Discovery Protocol (CDP)

  • DHCP relay agent

  • IPv4 and IPv6 access control lists (ACLs)

  • Routing protocols


Caution

Before enabling a feature on the Ethernet management port, make sure that the feature is supported. If you try to configure an unsupported feature on the Ethernet Management port, the feature might not work properly, and the switch might fail.

How to Configure the Ethernet Management Port

Disabling and Enabling the Ethernet Management Port

SUMMARY STEPS

    1.    configure terminal

    2.    interface fastethernet0

    3.    shutdown

    4.    no shutdown

    5.    exit

    6.    show interfaces fastethernet0


DETAILED STEPS
     Command or ActionPurpose
    Step 1 configure terminal


    Example: 
    Switch# configure terminal
     

    Enters global configuration mode.

     
    Step 2 interface fastethernet0


    Example: 
    Switch(config)# interface fastethernet0
     

    Specifies the Ethernet management port in the CLI.

     
    Step 3shutdown


    Example: 
    Switch(config-if)# shutdown
     

    Disables the Ethernet management port.

     
    Step 4no shutdown


    Example: 
    Switch(config-if)# no shutdown
     

    Enables the Ethernet management port.

     
    Step 5 exit


    Example: 
    Switch(config-if)# exit
     

    Exits interface configuration mode.

     
    Step 6 show interfaces fastethernet0


    Example: 
    Switch# show interfaces fastethernet0
     

    Displays the link status.

    To find out the link status to the PC, you can monitor the LED for the Ethernet management port. The LED is green (on) when the link is active, and the LED is off when the link is down. The LED is amber when there is a POST failure.

     
    What to Do Next

    Proceed to manage or configure your switch using the Ethernet management port. Refer to the Catalyst 2960-XR Switch Network Management Configuration Guide.

    Additional References

    Related Documents

    Related Topic Document Title
    Bootloader configuration

    Catalyst 2960-XR Switch System Management Configuration Guide

    Bootloader commands

    Catalyst 2960-XR Switch System Management Command Reference

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    Feature Information for Ethernet Management Ports

    Release

    Modification

    Cisco IOS 15.0(2)EX1

    This feature was introduced.