How to Configure Switch Alarms

Configure the power supply alarms

Follow this procedure to configure power supply alarms in a network switch environment to ensure proper monitoring and notification of power supply status.

Procedure

Step 1

Use the configure terminal command to access the global configuration mode.

Example:

Switch#configure terminal

Step 2

Configure the desired alarm settings.

  1. Use the alarm facility power-supply disable command to disable the power supply alarm.

    Example:

    Switch (config)#alarm facility power-supply disable

  2. Use the alarm facility power-supply relay major command to associate the alarm to the relay.

    Example:

    Switch (config)#alarm facility power-supply relay major

  3. Use the alarm facility power-supply notifies command to enable SNMP notifications.

    Example:

    Switch (config)#alarm facility power-supply notifies

  4. Use the alarm facility power-supply syslog command to log alerts to a syslog server.

    Example:

    Switch (config)#alarm facility power-supply syslog

Step 3

Use the end command to exit to privileged EXEC mode.

Example:

Switch#end

Step 4

Verify the Power Supply Alarms configuration on your switch.

  1. Use the show env power command to check the power status.

    Example:

    Switch#show env power

  2. Use the show facility-alarm status command to review the current alarms.

    Example:

    Switch#show facility-alarm status

  3. Use the show alarm settings command to validate the settings.

    Example:

    Switch#show alarm settings

Configure the switch temperature alarms

Follow this procedure to configure temperature alarms for a network switch to ensure effective monitoring of temperature thresholds.

Procedure

Step 1

Use the configure terminal command to enter global configuration mode.

Example:

Switch#configure terminal

Step 2

Use the alarm facility temperature { primary | secondary } high threshold command to set the high temperature threshold.

Example:

Switch (config)#alarm facility temperature primary high 100

You can specify a threshold value between -40°F (–40°C) and 204.8°F (96°C).

Step 3

Use the alarm facility temperature { primary | secondary } low threshold command to set the low temperature threshold.

Example:

Switch (config)#alarm facility temperature primary low -10

You can specify a threshold value between –328°F (–200°C) and 482°F (250°C).

Step 4

Use the end command command to exit to privileged EXEC mode.

Example:

Switch#end

Step 5

Use the show alarm settings command to verify the switch tempearature alarms configuration on your switch.

Example:

Switch#show alarm settings

Associate the temperature alarms with the relay

Follow this procedure to associate temperature alarms with a relay to ensure that critical temperature notifications are routed appropriately.

Procedure

Step 1

Use the configure terminal command to enter global configuration mode.

Example:

Switch#configure terminal

Step 2

Use the alarm facility temperature { primary | secondary } relay major command to link either the primary or secondary temperature alarm to the major relay.

Example:

Switch (config)#alarm facility temperature primary relay major

Step 3

(Optional) Use the alarm facility temperature { primary | secondary } notifies command to send primary or secondary temperature alarm traps to an SNMP server.

Example:

Switch (config)#alarm facility temperature primary notifies

Step 4

(Optional) Use the alarm facility temperature { primary | secondary } syslog command to send primary or secondary temperature alarm traps to a syslog server.

Example:

Switch (config)#alarm facility temperature primary syslog

Step 5

(Optional) Use the no alarm facility temperature secondary command to turn off the secondary temperature alarm.

Example:

Switch (config)#no alarm facility temperature secondary

Step 6

Use the end command to exit to the privileged EXEC mode.

Example:

Switch#end

Step 7

Use the show alarm settings command to confirm that temperature alarms are configured correctly.

Example:

Switch#show alarm settings

FCS bit error rate threshold

You can set up the Frame Check Sequence (FCS) bit error rate threshold and establish the error threshold on your switch.

By adjusting the error threshold and hysteresis threshold, you can enhance the reliability of your network, reduce false alarms during fluctuations in error rates and improve overall network stability.

Set the FCS bit error rate threshold

Follow this procedure to configure the acceptable error rate for frames transmitted over a network interface.

The switch activates a FCS bit error-rate alarm when the measured error rate approaches the configured threshold.

Procedure

Step 1

Use the configure terminal command to enter global configuration mode.

Example:

Switch#configure terminal

Step 2

Use the interface interface-id command to access the interface configuration.

Example:

Switch (config)#interface gig1/0/1

Step 3

Use the fcs-threshold value command to attach the specified alarm profile to the interface

Example:

Switch (config-if)#fcs-threshold value

Step 4

Use the end command to exit to privileged EXEC mode.

Example:

Switch (config-if)# end

Step 5

Use the show fcs-threshold command to confirm the setting.

Example:

Switch#show fcs-threshold

FCS error hysteresis thresholds

The FCS error hysteresis threshold in Ethernet switches helps manage alarm notifications related to bit error rates.

The FCS (Frame Check Sequence) error hysteresis threshold is a critical configuration in Ethernet switches that helps manage alarm notifications related to bit error rates. Understanding this threshold enables network administrators to prevent unnecessary alarms caused by transient fluctuations in bit error rates, ensuring a more stable network monitoring environment.

Ethernet standards stipulate a maximum bit-error rate of 10-8, with a practical range between 10-6 and 10-11. To configure the bit error rate for a switch, enter the exponent related to your desired value. For a bit error rate of 10-9, enter 9. The default FCS bit error rate setting is 10-8

To minimize alarm toggling during minor fluctuations, you can configure the FCS error hysteresis threshold. The hysteresis threshold is expressed as the ratio of the alarm clear threshold to the alarm set threshold, measured in percentage.

For instance, if you set the FCS bit error-rate alarm to 10-8 (your alarm set threshold) and wish to configure the alarm clear threshold to 5 * 10-10, you can calculate the hysteresis value as demonstrated in this example:

h = alarm clear threshold / alarm set threshold

h = 5*10-10 / 10-8 = 5*10-2 = 0.05 = 5 percent

The FCS hysteresis threshold applies across all ports on the switch, with an allowable configuration range from 1 percent to 10 percent. The default value is 10 percent.

By adjusting the hysteresis threshold appropriately, network administrators can enhance monitoring accuracy and reduce alarm fatigue, leading to more effective network management.

For more information, see Configuring the FCS Bit Error Rate Alarm .

Set the FCS Error Hysteresis Threshold

To configure the acceptable error rate for frames transmitted over a network interface.

The hysteresis setting prevents the alarm from toggling when the bit error-rate fluctuates around your configured threshold. The FCS hysteresis threshold is applied uniformly across all ports of the switch.

Procedure

Step 1

Use the configure terminal command to enter global configuration mode.

Example:

Switch# configure terminal

Step 2

Use the alarm facility fcs-hysteresis percentage command to set the hysteresis percentage for the switch.

Example:

Switch(config)# alarm facility fcs-hysteresis 8

For percentage , the range is 1 to 10. The default value is 10 percent.

Step 3

Use the end command to exit to privileged EXEC mode.

Example:

Switch(config-if)# end

Step 4

Use the show running config command to confirm the settings.

Example:

Switch# show running config

Alarm profiles

Configuring alarm profiles involves procedures for creating and modifying profiles using the necessary commands. The process starts by entering global configuration mode. You can create an alarm profile with only the Port not operating alarm enabled by default. The alarm profile includes instructions for modifying alarm parameters, configuring notifications, attaching profiles to specific ports, highlighting verification, and optionally saving configurations for effective system monitoring and response.

Create an alarm profile

Use this procedure to create a new alarm profile or identify an existing one within a network switch system.

In the defaultPort profile, only the port not operating alarm is enabled.

Procedure

Step 1

Use the configure terminal command to enter global configuration mode.

Example:

Switch#configure terminal

Step 2

Use the alarm-profile alarm-profile-name command to create a new profile or identify an existing profile and enter the alarm profile configuration mode.

Example:

Switch(config)# alarm-profile
Switch(config)# alarm-profile new-alarm

Step 3

Use the end command to exit to privileged EXEC mode.

Example:

Switch (config-if)# end

Step 4

Use the show alarm profile name command to verify the configuration on your switch.

Example:

Switch# show alarm profile name

Modify an alarm profile

Modify an alarm profile to customize alarm settings according to your requirements. Adjust the alarm parameters and configure notifications for specific alarm types.

In the defaultPort profile, only the port not operating alarm is enabled.

Procedure

Step 1

(Optional) Use the alarm {fcs-error | link-fault | not-forwarding | not-operating} command to add or modify parameters for specific alarms.

Example:

Switch#alarm fcs-error

Step 2

(Optional) Use the notifies {fcs-error | link-fault | not-forwarding | not-operating} command to configure the alarm to send an SNMP trap to an SNMP server.

Example:

Switch (config)#notifies link-fault

Step 3

(Optional) Use the relay-major {fcs-error | link-fault | not-forwarding | not-operating} command to configure the alarm to send an alarm trap to the relay.

Example:

Switch (config)#relay-major not-forwarding

Step 4

(Optional) Use the syslog {fcs-error | link-fault | not-forwarding | not-operating} command to configure the alarm to send an alarm trap to a syslog server.

Example:

Switch (config)#syslog fcs-error

Attach an alarm profile to a specific port

Follow this procedure to attach the alarm profile to a specific port within a network switch system.

Procedure

Step 1

Use the configure terminal command to enter global configuration mode.

Example:

Switch#configure terminal

Step 2

Use the interface interface-id command to access the interface configuration.

Example:

Switch (config)#interface gig1/0/1

Step 3

Use the alarm-profile alarm-profile-name command to attach the specified alarm profile to the interface.

Example:

Switch (config-if)#alarm-profile new-alarm

Step 4

Use the end command to exit to privileged EXEC mode.

Example:

Switch (config-if)# end

Step 5

Verify the configuration on your switch with the show alarm profile name command.

Example:

Switch#show alarm profile name

Enable SNMP traps

Follow this procedure to enable the SNMP traps within a network switch system.

Procedure

Step 1

Use the configure terminal command to enter global configuration mode.

Example:

Switch#configure terminal

Step 2

Use the snmp-server enable traps alarms command to enable the switch to send SNMP traps.

Example:

Switch (config)#snmp-server enable traps alarms

Step 3

Use the end command to exit to privileged EXEC mode.

Example:

Switch (config-if)# end

Step 4

Verify the configuration on your switch with the show alarm settings command.

Example:

Switch#show alarm settings

Configure external alarms

Configure an open or closed circuit to trigger an alarm for the external devices in your environment and configure the severity of the alarm.

Procedure

Step 1

Use the configure terminal command to enter global configuration mode.

Example:

Switch#configure terminal

Step 2

(Optional) Use the alarm contact contact-number description string command to configure a description for the alarm contact number.

Example:

Switch(config)#alarm contact 2 description alarm for open door

  • The contact-number is 1, 2, 4, or 5. See the figure in External alarm pins section for the alarm contact pinouts.

  • The description string is up to 80 alphanumeric characters in length and is included in any generated system messages.

Step 3

Use the alarm contact {contact-number | all } { severity { critical | major | minor } | trigger { closed | open }} command to configure the trigger and severity for an alarm contact number or for all contact numbers.

Example:

Switch(config)#alarm contact 2 severity critical trigger open

  • Enter a contact-number (1, 2 ,4, or 5) or specify that you are configuring all alarms. See the figure in External alarm pins section for the alarm contact pinouts.

  • For severity, enter critical , major , or minor . If you do not configure a severity, the default is minor .

  • For trigger, enter closed or open . If you do not configure a trigger, the alarm is triggered when the circuit is closed .

Step 4

Use the show env alarm-contact command to show the configured alarm contacts.

Example:

Switch(config)#show env alarm-contact

Step 5

Use the end command to exit to privileged EXEC mode.

Example:

Switch (config-if)# end