Recovering From A Command Switch Failure; Replacing A Failed Command Switch With A Cluster Member - Cisco Catalyst 2950 Software Configuration Manual

Using Recovery Procedures

Recovering from a Command Switch Failure

You can prepare for a command switch failure by assigning an IP address to a member switch that is
command-capable, making a note of the command-switch password, and cabling your cluster to provide
redundant connectivity between all member switches and the replacement command switch. Hot
Standby Router Protocol (HSRP) is the preferred method for providing a redundant command switch to
a cluster. For more information, see the
and the
Catalyst switches, refer to the Release Notes for the Catalyst 2950 Switch on Cisco.com.
If you have not configured a standby command switch, and your command switch loses power or fails
in some other way, management contact with the member switches is lost, and a new command switch
must be installed. However, connectivity between switches that are still connected is not affected, and
the member switches forward packets as usual. You can manage the members as standalone switches
through the console port or, if they have IP addresses, through CMS Device Manager.
These sections describe how to recover if a standby command switch was not available when the
command switch failed:
•
•
•

Replacing a Failed Command Switch with a Cluster Member

To replace a failed command switch with a command-capable member in the same cluster, follow these
steps:
Step 1 Disconnect the command switch from the member switches, and physically remove it from the cluster.
Step 2 Insert the member switch in place of the failed command switch, and duplicate its connections to the
cluster members.
Step 3 Start a CLI session on the new command switch.
You can access the CLI by using the console port or, if an IP address has been assigned to the switch, by
using Telnet. For details about using the console port, refer to the switch hardware installation guide.
At the switch prompt, enter privileged EXEC mode:
Step 4
Switch> enable
Switch#
Enter the password of the failed command switch.
Step 5
Enter global configuration mode.
Step 6
Switch# configure terminal
Enter configuration commands, one per line.
Step 7 Remove the member switch from the cluster.
Switch(config)# no cluster commander-address
Return to privileged EXEC mode.
Step 8
Switch(config)# end
Switch#
Catalyst 2950 Desktop Switch Software Configuration Guide
26-6
"Creating a Cluster Standby Group" section on page
"Replacing a Failed Command Switch with a Cluster Member" section on page 26-6
"Replacing a Failed Command Switch with Another Switch" section on page 26-8
"Recovering from a Failed Command Switch Without HSRP" section on page 26-9
"HSRP and Standby Command Switches" section on page 6-14
6-25. For a list of command-capable
End with CNTL/Z.
Chapter 26 Troubleshooting
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