Ok, I feel like an idoit for posting this question but I'm just getting tired of wondering. I've been assigned in my class to configure a Cisco Catalyst 2900 series XL switch. One problem, I have no idea what its IP is. I looked up at cisco.com to try to find what its default IP is but I came up empty. I know when I did this in Windows XP last semester there was a network terminal program I used to get into it. I'm sure slackware has something like that as well, but I'm not sure what or where it is. Can anyone give me a hand to getting inside this thing?

Yeah, I think the 2900 series will let you log in with telnet. However, if an IP address is not assigned (or telnet not enabled on the switch) you will probably need to connect to the serial port on the back of the switch to access the console (I think that model has one, though you may need a rollover cable). Some newer switches may have a web interface as well (I don't know about the 2900XL... perhaps I'm thinking 3Com). That may make things really easy.

If you can't find the IP of the switch, try running "nmap" to do a port-scan of your lan. Then you may be able to find the IP and port you need.

Why not connect a console cable directly to the switch and view the config ? trying to guess the IP would be difficult especially if someone has changed the config.

By default Cisco Switches do not have an IP address to begin with.
http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/...8010ff7a.shtml

9600 baud
8 bit
no parity
1 stop bit

Use the Serial console cable provided by Cisco..


minicom will allow you to connect directly to the Switch using the serial port on your laptop via the shell
seyon is a X11 based communications package that should work as well

From a windows machine I would use terraterm Pro as the application