Creating a Configuration File

This appendix describes how to create an initial configuration file for the Catalyst 5000 series switch. The configuration file contains all the commands needed to configure the switch.

The configuration file aids the setup of multiple Catalyst 5000 series switches. For example, you might want to download the same configuration file to Catalyst 5000 series switches that have the same hardware configuration so that they have identical module and port configurations. Some commands can be added to the configuration file to aid setting up multiple switches. For example, you can enter the clear trunk all command to purge any existing trunking configuration information, followed by additional commands to configure trunks. Some administration information tables, such as the IP alias, command alias, and snmp trap tables, cannot be cleared. Instead, the table entries are merged when compatible and updated when conflicts occur.

Enter the write network command to upload the configuration file to the network in a format that can be used by the configure network command. Refer to the write, show config, and write config commands in the Catalyst 5000 Series Command Reference publication for examples.

Guidelines for Creating Configuration Files

When creating the configuration file, you must enter the commands in a logical way so that the system can respond appropriately. Use the following guidelines when creating a configuration file:

• If no passwords have been established, you must establish them by entering the set password and set enablepass commands. Enter a blank line after the set password and set enablepass commands. The passwords are saved in the configuration file as clear text.

If passwords exist, you cannot enter the set password and set enablepass commands because the password verification will fail. If you enter passwords into the file, the switch attempts to execute the intended new passwords as commands as it executes the file.

• Enter a blank line after each occurrence of the following commands:

  • set interface sc0 ip_addr netmask

  • set interface sc0 disable

  • set module disable mod_num

  • set port disable mod_num/port_num

A blank line is necessary because these commands might disconnect your Telnet session(s). Before disconnecting a session, the switch prompts you for confirmation. Entering Return (designated by the CR on the blank line) indicates a negative response, which retains the Telnet session.

Cisco recommends that you use a configuration file to configure Catalyst 5000 series switches through the EIA/TIA-232 sessions. If you configure the switch from the Telnet session, IP addresses are not changed, and ports and modules are not disabled.

Procedure

To create an initial configuration file for the Catalyst 5000 series switch, perform the following steps:

Task	Command
Step 1 If needed, set the password.	set password
Step 2 If needed, set the enable password.	set enable password
Step 3 Enter configuration commands into the configuration file.
Step 4 Upload the configuration file to the network.	write network