Cisco Systems 2900 User Manual

About This Guide

This section discusses the objectives, intended audience, and organization of the Catalyst
2900 User Guide, and defines the conventions used to con ve y instructions and information.

Cisco documentation and additional literature are available on a CD called Cisco
Connection Documentation, Enterprise Series. The CD is updated and shipped monthly so
it might be more current than printed documentation. To order the Cisco Connection
Documentation, Enterprise Series CD, contact your local sales representative or call
Customer Service. The CD is available both as a single CD and as an annual subscription.
You can also access Cisco technical documentation on the World Wide Web URL
http://www.cisco.com.

Note The Cisco Connection Documentation, Enterprise Series CD was previously called

UniverCD.

Document Objectives

This publication describes specific procedures for preparing your site and network
equipment for the initial installation of the Catalyst 2900 hardware and software for the
startup. It also describes procedures you can use in the future to modify or upgrade your
system. It guides you through the initial site preparation, hardware installation, and startup
of your new switch. After you install the hardware, you will use the appropriate companion
publications to configure your system software. Maintenance procedures and guidelines for
the general care and upkeep of your new switch are also included. All additions or upgrades
to the switch hardware or software image (firmware) that you order from the factory are
accompanied by configuration notes that provide product-specific installation instructions
and up-to-date product information.

About This Guide xvii

Audience

Audience

Setting up and maintaining a network requires the knowledge and expertise of people with
a variety of skills. In many cases, the people responsible for installing and maintaining
hardware and wiring are not the people who configure the software and administer the
network. This publication provides information specific to initial installation and
configuration of the switch hardware and software. To use this publication you should be
familiar with electronic circuitry and wiring practices and, preferably, have experience as
an electronic or electromechanical technician. This document provides brief descriptions
and examples of a few software configuration and display commands. For comprehensive
descriptions and examples of software configuration commands and the procedures for
implementing them, refer to the Catalyst 2900 Configuration Guide and Command
Reference publication.

Document Organization

This publication contains the following information:

• Chapter 1, “What Is the Catalyst 2900?”, describes the physical properties of the switch,

components, and interfaces. It also provides brief functional descriptions of the primary
system features.

• Chapter 2, “Installation Overview,” describes safety recommendations, site

requirements, tools required, optional and required network connection equipment,
unpacking checklists, and procedures you should perform before actual installation.
This chapter also describes and illustrates all types of network interface cables,
connectors, and interface devices you may need for your network connections.

• Chapter 3, “Rack-Mounting Instructions,” provides instructions for rack-mounting the

switch.

• Chapter 4, “Cabling Instructions,” describes the procedures to make all external cable

connections to the Catalyst 2900 and apply power to the system.

• Chapter 5, “Configuring the Software,” discusses the initial configuration of the

Catalyst 2900 series switch and describes how you configure such functions as IP
addressing and SNMP management.

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