Cisco IOS Switch Configuration Guide¶

This guide walks through the essential steps to configure a Cisco switch running IOS. It includes initial setup, VLANs, port settings, IP addressing, and basic security.

🛠️ 1. Initial Setup¶

Connect via Console¶

Use a console cable and terminal emulator (e.g., PuTTY or Tera Term)
Default settings:
Baud rate: 9600
Data bits: 8
Parity: None
Stop bits: 1
Flow control: None

Enter Privileged Mode¶

enable

Enter Global Configuration Mode¶

configure terminal

🌐 2. Set Hostname and Domain¶

hostname Switch01
ip domain-name example.local

🔐 3. Secure Access¶

Set Console Password¶

line console 0
password cisco
login
exit

Set Enable Password¶

enable secret strongpassword

Configure SSH Access¶

username admin secret strongpassword
ip ssh version 2
line vty 0 4
login local
transport input ssh
exit

📦 4. Save Configuration¶

copy running-config startup-config

🧭 5. Configure VLANs¶

Create VLANs¶

vlan 10
name Sales
exit

vlan 20
name Engineering
exit

Assign VLANs to Ports¶

interface range fa0/1 - 10
switchport mode access
switchport access vlan 10
exit

interface range fa0/11 - 20
switchport mode access
switchport access vlan 20
exit

🔀 6. Configure Trunk Ports¶

interface fa0/24
switchport mode trunk
switchport trunk allowed vlan 10,20
exit

🌐 7. Assign IP to VLAN Interface (SVI)¶

interface vlan 1
ip address 192.168.1.2 255.255.255.0
no shutdown
exit

📡 8. Show Commands¶

Show Port Status¶

show interfaces status

Show VLANs¶

show vlan brief

Show IP Interfaces¶

show ip interface brief

Show Running Configuration¶

show running-config

🔁 9. Reboot or Reload¶

reload

❌ 10. Shutdown Interfaces¶

interface range fa0/1 - 24
shutdown
exit

⚠️ Cisco switches cannot be powered off via CLI. You must disconnect power physically.

✅ 11. Best Practices¶

Use strong passwords and SSH for remote access
Disable unused ports
Save config regularly
Document VLAN assignments and IPs