Automated Switch Configuration Management

Whether a result of a completely new switch or a reconfiguration of existing switches, managing switch configurations is an essential part of any IT administrator’s job. The specific best practices for configuring a switch will vary slightly depending on the switch at hand, but the following steps serve as an excellent starting point for IT technicians:

1. Clear the switch. Before any reconfigurations can be conducted, the switch must be wiped of any existing configurations. This can be done by resetting the switch to its default settings.
2. Verify the default configuration. Confirm you’ve reset the switch to its original configuration. Once this has been confirmed, it’s important to make a copy of the file in case any unintentional changes are made in the future.
3. Begin setup. Provide the switch with a name, like “S1” or “S2,” and relaunch the startup configuration and running configuration in preparation for your new configuration.
4. Set a password. Establish a password for the switch you’re configuring.
5. Set switch addresses. Try to avoid using the default VLAN 1 address by creating a new address instead. You’ll use your new VLAN to remotely manage the switch.
6. Assign ports. Your new VLAN will appear offline if no ports are assigned to it. You can remedy this by adding user switch ports to the VLAN.
7. Assign a gateway. All switches must be paired with a router, also known as its default gateway. Simply identify and match a router to pair with your new switch configuration.
8. Assign IP addresses. All devices connected to the switch must be assigned IP addresses. This can be done manually or via a DHCP server.
9. Save the configuration. Your switch configuration must be stored and saved before it’s used.