Because of the portable performance of the laptop, the switch is usually configured with a laptop. In the absence of a laptop, you can also use a desktop, but it is more difficult to move. The local configuration of a vswitch is to communicate directly through the "Console" Port of the computer and the vswitch, as shown in figure 1.
Figure 1
There is usually a "Console" port on the vswitch that can manage the network. This is already described in the previous section of the hub, and the same is true for the vswitch ), it is used to configure and manage vswitches. Connecting to and configuring a vswitch through the Console port is required to configure and manage the vswitch. Although there are several other ways to configure and manage vswitches, such as Web and Telnet), these methods must be configured through the Console port. Because the IP address, domain name, or device name is required for other methods, the newly purchased switch obviously cannot have these parameters, therefore, connecting to and configuring a vswitch through the Console port is the most common and basic management and configuration method that must be mastered by the network administrator.
Different types of switch Console ports are located in different locations, some on the front panel such as Catalyst 3200 and Catalyst 4006), and some on the rear panel such as Catalyst 1900 and Catalyst 2900XL ). Generally, most modular switches are located on the front panel, while most fixed configuration switches are located on the rear panel. However, you don't have to worry about the failure to find the Console port. On the top or side of the port, there will be an identifier similar to "CONSOLE", as shown in 2.
Figure 2
In addition to location differences, the Console port type is also different, the vast majority of the Catalyst 1900 and Catalyst 4006) are using RJ-45 Port 2 ), but there are also a few using DB-9 serial port such as Catalyst 3200) or DB-25 serial port such as Catalyst 2900 ).
Whether the switch uses a DB-9 or DB-25 serial interface or a RJ-45 interface, you need to connect to a serial port configured with a computer, usually called a terminal, through a dedicated Console line. The Console line corresponds to the different Console ports of the vswitch. There are also two types of Console lines: one is a serial line, that is, both ends are serial interfaces and both ends are master ports ), the two ends can be inserted into the computer's serial port and the Console port of the switch; the other is the two ends are RJ-45 joint RJ-45-to-RJ-45) flat line. Since both ends of the flat line are RJ-45 interfaces, you cannot connect directly to the computer's serial port, so you must also use an adapter for a RJ-45-to-DB-9 or RJ-45-to-DB-25 shown in 3 at the same time. Typically, such a Console line and the corresponding DB-9 or DB-25 adapter are randomly presented in the switch box.
Figure 3
