Specifications

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Catalyst 2970 Switch Software Configuration Guide
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Chapter 1 Overview
Features
The Catalyst 2970 switches have these features:
• Ease-of-Use and Ease-of-Deployment Features, page 1-2
• Performance Features, page 1-3
• Management Options, page 1-3
• Manageability Features, page 1-4 (includes a feature requiring the cryptographic [that is, supports
encryption] version of the switch software image)
• Availability Features, page 1-4
• VLAN Features, page 1-5
• Security Features, page 1-5 (includes a feature requiring the cryptographic [that is, supports
encryption] version of the switch software image)
• QoS and CoS Features, page 1-6
• Monitoring Features, page 1-7
Ease-of-Use and Ease-of-Deployment Features
• Express Setup for quickly configuring a switch for the first time with basic IP information, contact
information, switch and Telnet passwords, and Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP)
information through a browser-based program
• User-defined SmartPort macros for creating custom switch configurations for simplified
deployment across the network
• Cluster Management Suite (CMS) graphical user interface (GUI) for
– Simplifying and minimizing switch and switch cluster management through a supported web
browser from anywhere in your intranet.
– Accomplishing multiple configuration tasks from a single CMS window without needing to
remember command-line interface (CLI) commands to accomplish specific tasks.
– Interactive guide mode that guides you in configuring complex features such as VLANs, ACLs,
and quality of service (QoS).
– Automated configuration wizards that prompt you to provide only the minimum required
information to configure complex features such as QoS priorities for video traffic, priority
levels for data applications, and security.
– Applying actions to multiple ports and multiple switches at the same time, such as VLAN and
QoS settings, inventory and statistic reports, link- and switch-level monitoring and
troubleshooting, and multiple switch software upgrades.
– Viewing a topology of interconnected devices to identify existing switch clusters and eligible
switches that can join a cluster and to identify link information between switches.
– Monitoring 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 used on the physical LEDs.
• Switch clustering technology for
– Unified configuration, monitoring, authentication, and software upgrade of multiple,
cluster-capable switches, regardless of their geographic proximity and interconnection media,
including Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Fast EtherChannel, small form-factor pluggable (SFP)
modules, Gigabit Ethernet, and Gigabit EtherChannel connections. Refer to the release notes
for a list of cluster-capable switches.