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CHAPTER 1
Introduction
Read this chapter to familiarize yourself with the features, benefits, and
capabilities of the Catalyst Express 500 switches.
Note This chapter and the rest of this guide focus on the concepts and tasks that are
available from the switch hardware and the device manager GUI that is embedded
in the switch software.
Enhanced Catalyst Express 500 features and procedures are only available from
the Cisco Network Assistant network management application. This application
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Chapter 1 Introduction Overview Overview The Catalyst Express switches (Table 1-1) provide networking for businesses with up to 250 employees. These switches provide network services to support data, voice, and mobile network demands. The services ensure transmission quality and reliability for data and voice traffic. They also provide security to protect against network attacks. You can simply install the switch and allow it to operate without any further management intervention. Yo
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Chapter 1 Introduction Overview Figure 1-1 is an example network using Catalyst Express switches. Devices outside the dotted line are network users and network resources, such as servers and printers. Devices within the dotted line are switches, routers, and access points that enable communication between network users and provide access to network resources. Figure 1-1 Catalyst Express Network Example Any of the Catalyst Express switch models can be Switches A, B, C, and D in this n
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Chapter 1 Introduction Features and Benefits PoE connections from the switch provide both power and network access to PoE-capable devices, such as IP phones and access points. PoE devices can receive up to 15.4 W of power from their connections to the switch. PoE also helps reduce cabling costs. You can place PoE devices where power outlets are not available or are not convenient. Multiple connections between the switches ensure that users maintain network access if any of the switch
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2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 Catalyst Express 500 SERIES 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 1X 11X 13X 23X SYSTEM ALERT 25 26 PoE 25 26 2X 12X 14X 24X SETUP POWER OVER ETHERNET SYSTEM ALERT PoE SETUP Chapter 1 Introduction Features and Benefits Hardware Features Figure 1-2 and the list that follows describe the switch hardware features and the benefits that they provide. All switches can be installed on a table top, in a rack, or mounted on a wall. For hardware installation information,
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Chapter 1 Introduction Features and Benefits 10/100-Mbps Fast Ethernet Ports 10/100/1000-Mbps Gigabit Ethernet Ports � Autosensing (autonegotiation) of port speed and autonegotiating of duplex mode optimizes port bandwidth. � Automatic-medium-dependent interface crossover (auto-MDIX) capability automatically detects the required cable connection type (straight-through or crossover) and configures the connection appropriately. PoE-Capable Ports (Available only on the Catalyst Express 5
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Chapter 1 Introduction Features and Benefits Software Features These are the switch software features and the benefits that they provide. You can configure these features through the device manager GUI (see the “Device Manager GUI” section on page 1-8). For details on these features, see the chapters on Customization, Monitoring, and Troubleshooting. Note For enhanced switch features that are available only through Network Assistant and not through the device manager GUI, see the “Cis
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Chapter 1 Introduction Features and Benefits Customization � Smartports port roles optimize switch ports according to their attached devices. Security and quality of service (QoS) benefits are built into the port roles. � Secure Socket Layer (SSL) protocol authenticates and encrypts communications to the switch device manager GUI. (Requires the cryptographic version of the switch software available from the software download page on Cisco.com.) � Username-and-password pair configurati
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Chapter 1 Introduction Features and Benefits Figure 1-3 Device Manager Interface User Guide for the Catalyst Express 500 Switches OL-8122-01 1-9
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Chapter 1 Introduction System Requirements Figure 1-4 Device Manager Online Help System Requirements � Hardware Requirements, page 1-11 � Software Requirements, page 1-11 User Guide for the Catalyst Express 500 Switches OL-8122-01 1-10
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Chapter 1 Introduction Switch Management Options Hardware Requirements Table 1-2 lists the minimum hardware requirements for running the device manager. Table 1-2 Hardware Requirements Processor Speed DRAM Number of Colors Resolution Font Size 1 2 Intel Pentium II 64 MB 256 1024 x 768 Small 1. We recommend Intel Pentium 4. 2. We recommend 256-MB DRAM. Software Requirements Table 1-3 lists the supported operating systems and browsers for using the device manager. The device manager verif
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Chapter 1 Introduction Switch Management Options Cisco Network Assistant The switches support the Cisco Network Assistant network management application. Network Assistant offers an enhanced set of features for configuring and monitoring one or more devices, including switches, device clusters, device stacks, routers, and access points. Catalyst Express 500 features that are available on Network Assistant but not available from the device manager include: � Levels (Low, Medium, or Hi
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Chapter 1 Introduction Supported Hardware Simple Network Management Protocol You can use Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) management applications to manage the switch. You also can manage it from an SNMP-compatible workstation. Supported Hardware The switches support the PWR675-AC-RPS RPS. (Available only on the Catalyst Express 500-24PC model.) The switches support these Cisco SFP modules: � 100BASE-BX � 100BASE-FX � 100BASE-LX � 1000BASE-LX � 1000BASE-SX When You Are Done I
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Chapter 1 Introduction When You Are Done User Guide for the Catalyst Express 500 Switches OL-8122-01 1-14
