C H A P T E R 9 Configuring Switches With Web-Based Tools; Understanding How The Network Assistant Works; Installation Requirements; Software And Hardware Requirements - Cisco 4500M Software Manual

Configuring and Using the Network Assistant

Understanding How the Network Assistant Works

Network Assistant is an application that manages standalone devices and clusters of devices from
anywhere in your intranet. Using its graphical user interface, you can perform multiple configuration
tasks without having to remember command-line interface commands. Network Assistant enables you
to apply VLAN settings, link and device monitoring, and other networking features to multiple devices
and ports at the same time.
Network Assistant is a client-server application that sends Cisco IOS commands to configure and
manage the Catalyst 4500 series switch over HTTP. The client opens a connection to the HTTP server
and sends a request. The HTTP server receives the request, sends a response back to the client, and closes
the connection.
By default, the HTTP server is disabled on the Catalyst 4500 series switch. To connect the switch to the
Network Assistant, you must enable the HTTP server.
After you enable the HTTP server, it listens for requests on port number 80. Through the CLI, you can
change the TCP/IP port number to any number from 1 to 65,535. If you do not use the port number 80,
you will need to ensure that the new port number matches the number that is configured on the switch.
Although the HTTP server uses HTTP Version 1.0, it also supports HTTP Version 1.1 messaging.

Installation Requirements

The workstation on which you install Network Assistant must meet these minimum requirements:
•
•
•
•
•
The following client platforms are supported by Network Assistant:
•
•
•

Software and Hardware Requirements

The minimum Cisco IOS software required on the Catalyst 4500 series switch is Release 12.2(20)EWA.
Table 1
Table 1
Type
Chassis
Power supplies
Software Configuration Guide—Release 12.2(25)EW
9-2
Processor speed: Pentium 300 MHz
DRAM: 128 MB
Number of colors: 65536
Resolution: 1024 x 768
Font size: Small
Windows NT 4.0, with Service Pack 6 or later
Windows 2000 Professional SP3+
Windows XP Professional SP1+
lists the hardware required to support the Network Assistant.
Hardware Supported for Network Assistant 1.0 Support
Part Number
WS-C4503
WS-C4506
PWR-C45-1300AC
PWR-C45-1000AC
Chapter 9 Configuring Switches with Web-based Tools
OL-6696-01