Automated Switch Configuration Management

Easily and effectively manage switch configurations

Download Free Trial Email Link to Trial

Fully functional for 14 days

Learn More

Boost Performance

Recover Quickly

Increase Security

Boost productivity and performance with a switch configuration solution

Even one config error can cause downtime. A configuration solution can help improve network uptime and ensure business productivity.

With SolarWinds^® Kiwi CatTools^®, you can help ensure network performance and reduce the likelihood of outages. Kiwi CatTools is built to enable constant switch configuration monitoring and bulk configuration changes across multi-vendor devices. With bulk changes, Kiwi CatTools can reduce the number of distinct changes, helping to reduce the chance of errors.

Download Free Trial Email Link to Trial

Fully functional for 14 days

Learn More

Quickly recover from failed configuration changes with the help of automated backups

Reducing the impact of failed configuration changes can be made simpler with SolarWinds Kiwi CatTools. The tool is designed so you can schedule automated device configuration backups at custom time intervals and receive a notification of any failed configurations. The platform is also built to store a complete configuration history, so you can quickly return to the last good configuration when something goes wrong with a switch configuration.

Download Free Trial Email Link to Trial

Fully functional for 14 days

Learn More

Increase network security with configuration monitoring and real-time email alerts

Stay on top of potential network security vulnerabilities with the help of constant switch configuration monitoring and real-time email alerting. Kiwi CatTools is designed to notify you quickly when the platform detects any potential configuration issues. Whether it’s a failed authorized config change or an unauthorized and potentially insidious config change, the built-in email alert feature can help you get to the root cause of config problems when they occur, so you can start troubleshooting faster.

Download Free Trial Email Link to Trial

Fully functional for 14 days

Learn More

Get More on Switch Configuration

Do you find yourself asking…

What is a switch?
What is switch configuration?
How does switch configuration work?
Why is switch configuration important?
How does a switch configuration tool work?
How does switch configuration work in Kiwi CatTools?

A switch is an important piece of networking hardware that uses packet switching to connect the devices on a network. It does this by receiving and redirecting incoming data packets on a local area network (LAN) so they reach their destination quickly. Switches allow for communication between devices without collisions by creating an electronic tunnel between the destination and the source for a fraction of a second, so no other traffic can enter.

Switch configuration is one of the key elements involved in a network’s flow, control, and operation. Whether dealing with a reconfiguration of an existing switch or installing a completely new switch, network switch management is an essential element of any IT job.

While the specific best practices for switch configuration can vary from one type of switch to another, these basic steps can serve as a good starting point for any switch manager:

Clear the switch: Before you can begin reconfiguring a switch, you need to first wipe it of any existing configurations. You can do this by resetting it to its default settings.
Verify the default configuration: Confirm you returned the switch to its original configuration. Once you’ve done this, it’s a good idea to make a copy of the file in case any unintentional changes are made in the future.
Begin the setup: Give the switch a name, even something as simple as “S1” or “S2,” and relaunch the startup configuration and running configuration to prepare for the new configuration.
Create and set a password: Make a password for the switch you’re configuring.
Set the switch addresses: It’s best to avoid using the default VLAN 1 address if you can, which is why you should create a new switch address instead. You’ll then be able to use your new VLAN to manage the switch remotely.
Assign ports: Next, you need to assign user switch ports to your new VLAN. Otherwise, it’ll appear offline.
Assign a gateway: Every switch in a network needs to be paired with a router, which is also known as a default gateway. Just identify and match a router to pair it with the new switch configuration.
Assign IP addresses: Every device connected to a switch needs to be assigned an IP address. You can either do this manually or through a DHCP server.
Save the configuration: The final step of switch management is storing and saving the new switch configuration. Once this is done, you can begin using the configuration.

These steps should be performed for each switch in your network each time a new switch is added, or new configuration is needed. Using network switch management software can help simplify the process. These tools can help you ensure only authorized configuration changes occur, and lets you make bulk configuration changes to save both time and effort.

A switch is an important piece of networking hardware that uses packet switching to connect the devices on a network. It does this by receiving and redirecting incoming data packets on a local area network (LAN) so they reach their destination quickly. Switches allow for communication between devices without collisions by creating an electronic tunnel between the destination and the source for a fraction of a second, so no other traffic can enter.
Switch configuration is one of the key elements involved in a network’s flow, control, and operation. Whether dealing with a reconfiguration of an existing switch or installing a completely new switch, network switch management is an essential element of any IT job.
While the specific best practices for switch configuration can vary from one type of switch to another, these basic steps can serve as a good starting point for any switch manager:
Clear the switch: Before you can begin reconfiguring a switch, you need to first wipe it of any existing configurations. You can do this by resetting it to its default settings.
Verify the default configuration: Confirm you returned the switch to its original configuration. Once you’ve done this, it’s a good idea to make a copy of the file in case any unintentional changes are made in the future.
Begin the setup: Give the switch a name, even something as simple as “S1” or “S2,” and relaunch the startup configuration and running configuration to prepare for the new configuration.
Create and set a password: Make a password for the switch you’re configuring.
Set the switch addresses: It’s best to avoid using the default VLAN 1 address if you can, which is why you should create a new switch address instead. You’ll then be able to use your new VLAN to manage the switch remotely.
Assign ports: Next, you need to assign user switch ports to your new VLAN. Otherwise, it’ll appear offline.
Assign a gateway: Every switch in a network needs to be paired with a router, which is also known as a default gateway. Just identify and match a router to pair it with the new switch configuration.
Assign IP addresses: Every device connected to a switch needs to be assigned an IP address. You can either do this manually or through a DHCP server.
Save the configuration: The final step of switch management is storing and saving the new switch configuration. Once this is done, you can begin using the configuration.
These steps should be performed for each switch in your network each time a new switch is added, or new configuration is needed. Using network switch management software can help simplify the process. These tools can help you ensure only authorized configuration changes occur, and lets you make bulk configuration changes to save both time and effort.

“SolarWinds Kiwi CatTools allows us to easily recover in the case of an outage involving network switches. We have a daily backup of all our 1000+ devices.”

Mels Van Der Ploeg

Network Engineer

Delta