Cisco Gigabit Ethernet Switch Module for HP p-Class BladeSystem Software Configuration Guide

CHAPTER

3-1

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Assigning the Switch IP Address and Default

Gateway

This chapter describes how to create the initial switch configuration (for example, assigning the IP

address and default gateway information) by using a variety of automatic and manual methods. It also

describes how to modify the switch startup configuration.

Note For complete syntax and usage information for the commands used in this chapter, see the command

reference for this release and the Cisco IOS IP Command Reference, Volume 1 of 3: Addressing and

Services, Release 12.2.

This chapter consists of these sections:

• Understanding the Bootup Process, page 3-1

• Assigning Switch Information, page 3-2

• Checking and Saving the Running Configuration, page 3-11

• Modifying the Startup Configuration, page 3-12

• Scheduling a Reload of the Software Image, page 3-16

Understanding the Bootup Process

To start your switch, you need to follow the procedures in the getting started guide or the hardware

installation guide for installing and powering on the switch and setting up the initial switch configuration

(IP address, subnet mask, default gateway, secret and Telnet passwords, and so forth).

The normal bootup process involves the operation of the bootloader software, which performs these

activities:

• Performs low-level CPU initialization. It initializes the CPU registers, which control where physical

memory is mapped, its quantity, its speed, and so forth.

• Performs power-on self-test (POST) for the CPU subsystem. It tests the CPU DRAM and the portion

of the flash device that makes up the flash file system.

• Initializes the flash file system on the system board.

• Loads a default operating system software image into memory and boots the switch.