Cisco Catalyst 2950 Software Configuration Manual page 44

Management Options
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Advantages of Using Network Assistant and Clustering Switches
Using Network Assistant and switch clusters can simplify and minimize your configuration and
monitoring tasks. You can use Cisco switch clustering technology to manage up to 16 interconnected and
supported Catalyst switches through one IP address as if they were a single entity. This can conserve IP
addresses if you have a limited number of them. Network Assistant is the easiest interface to use and
makes switch and switch cluster management accessible to authorized users from any PC on your
network.
By using switch clusters and Network Assistant, you can:
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Catalyst 2950 and Catalyst 2955 Switch Software Configuration Guide
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IE2100—Cisco Intelligence Engine 2100 Series Configuration Registrar is a network management
device that works with embedded CNS Agents in the switch software. You can automate initial
configurations and configuration updates by generating switch-specific configuration changes,
sending them to the switch, executing the configuration change, and logging the results.
For more information about IE2100, see
SNMP—SNMP provides a means to monitor and control the switch and switch cluster members.
You can manage switch configuration settings, performance, and security and collect statistics by
using SNMP management applications such as CiscoWorks2000 LAN Management Suite (LMS)
and HP OpenView.
You can manage the switch from an SNMP-compatible management station that is running
platforms such as HP OpenView or SunNet Manager. The switch supports a comprehensive set of
MIB extensions and four RMON groups.
For more information about using SNMP, see the
Manage and monitor interconnected Catalyst switches (see the release notes for a list of supported
switches), regardless of their geographic proximity and interconnection media, including Ethernet,
Fast Ethernet, Fast EtherChannel, Cisco GigaStack GBIC, Gigabit Ethernet, and Gigabit
EtherChannel connections.
Accomplish multiple configuration tasks from a single Network Assistant window without needing
to remember CLI commands to accomplish specific tasks.
Apply actions from Network Assistant to multiple ports and multiple switches at the same time to
avoid re-entering the same commands for each individual port or switch. Here are some examples
of globally setting and managing multiple ports and switches:
Port configuration such as speed and duplex settings
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Port and console port security settings
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NTP, STP, VLAN, and quality of service (QoS) configurations
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Inventory and statistic reporting and link and switch-level monitoring and troubleshooting
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Group software upgrades
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View a topology of interconnected devices to identify existing switch clusters and eligible switches
that can join a cluster. You can also use the topology to quickly identify link information between
switches.
Monitor real-time status of a switch or multiple switches from the LEDs on the front-panel images.
The system, redundant power system (RPS), and port LED colors on the images are similar to those
on the physical LEDs.
Chapter 5, "Configuring IE2100 CNS Agents."
Chapter 27, "Configuring SNMP."
Chapter 1 Overview
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