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How to Power On a Multilayer Switch?

Published in Network Configuration 2 mins read

The provided references do not contain instructions on how to physically power on a multilayer switch. They focus on configuration after the switch is powered on. To clarify, the question should be: How to configure a multilayer switch after it's powered on?

This response will address that clarified question. Assuming the multilayer switch is already physically powered on (plugged in and the power button is pressed), here's how to configure it:

Configuring a Multilayer Switch

After powering on a multilayer switch, the configuration process typically involves these steps:

  1. Log into the Multilayer Switch Management Interface: This is the initial step. You'll need to access the switch's command-line interface (CLI) or web-based interface, often via console cable, SSH, or Telnet (though Telnet is generally not recommended for security reasons).

  2. Create VLANs and Assign Ports: VLANs (Virtual LANs) segment the network logically.

    • Create the desired VLANs. For example:

      configure terminal
vlan 10
name VLAN_Users
exit
vlan 20
name VLAN_Servers
exit

    • Assign ports to the VLANs. For example:

      interface ethernet 1/1
switchport mode access
switchport access vlan 10
exit
interface ethernet 1/2
switchport mode access
switchport access vlan 20
exit

  3. Enable Routing: A key feature of a multilayer switch is its ability to perform routing between VLANs. This requires enabling IP routing. The reference mentions enabling routing with the IP routing command.

    • Enable IP routing globally:
      configure terminal
ip routing
exit

  4. Configure IP Addresses on VLAN Interfaces: To enable routing, assign IP addresses to the VLAN interfaces (also known as switch virtual interfaces or SVIs).

    • Configure IP addresses:
      interface vlan 10
ip address 192.168.10.1 255.255.255.0
exit
interface vlan 20
ip address 192.168.20.1 255.255.255.0
exit

  5. Configure Default Gateway: If the switch needs to communicate with networks outside of its directly connected VLANs, configure a default gateway.

    • Set the default gateway:
      ip default-gateway 192.168.1.1

  6. Save the Configuration: Crucially, save the configuration to ensure it persists after a reboot.

    copy running-config startup-config

These are the basic steps. More advanced configurations may involve setting up routing protocols (e.g., OSPF, BGP), access control lists (ACLs), quality of service (QoS), and other features.

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