How To Configure Cisco Catalyst 9300 Switch?

Designed to leverage assurance, security, and automation capabilities for the Cisco SD access and DNA center, the Catalyst 9300 Switches set the framework for intent-based networking. These extensively increase the ease of use while reducing errors and downtime in small and large enterprise deployments.

Cisco primarily offers two types of network switches, one of which is the Cisco Catalyst 9300 switch, a fixed-configuration model. This type does not allow you to add or swap additional modules.

The Catalyst 9300 Switch from Cisco is possibly the best user access layer switch ever produced by any manufacturer. These are powerful, reliable, and versatile product line offering unparalleled performance and characteristics.

You can get the Catalyst 9300 models either in 24 or 48 port. It is also available in data-only (no power over Ethernet) or PoE (PoE+ or UPoE) support. Its top-of-the-line model comes with UPoE and mGig to power devices that require more than a gigabit per second speed.

In this article, we will talk about how you can configure the Cisco Catalyst 9300 Switch and also how the Edgeium network professionals can assist you further. But before getting into the configuration process, let us detail you a bit more on the basics of this product.

What Is Cisco Catalyst 9300 Switch?

The Cisco Catalyst switches are designed particularly for the enterprise environment. Thus, the next-gen Catalyst 9300 series, enterprise-class stackable access-layer platform, is intended for IoT, security, cloud, and mobility purposes. This is the only series in the market that allows front and back-panel stacking.

Cisco Catalyst 9300 series switches offer a tremendous number of advanced features including:

• AV bridging
• Wired sensor capabilities
• Native Docker containers
• Encrypted traffic analyses
• Redundant fans and power
• MACsec-256 link encryption
• Extended macro/micro segmentation
• mGig and 60W UPoE with 9W UPoE for IoT
• Embedded wireless control for 9800 series switches

All of these features future-proof the infrastructure of your business to keep it running smoothly. However, for small to mid-market deployments, the Cisco Catalyst 9300L models with fixed uplinks are an economical solution with almost the same features as the high-end Cisco Catalyst 9300 models. The Cisco Catalyst 9300 models maintain copper and fiber uplink support and add extra flexibility in the choice of interface. The number of ports and internal capabilities are the two most important specs that distinguish between different models. You can find slight cosmetic differences as well.

Cisco 9300 Switch Configuration

Cisco switches are simpler network devices as compared to routers or firewalls. But the configuration is not as easy. Some alternatives offer plug and play setup while the Cisco switches need manual configuration to start functioning. In most cases, you can use Cisco’s own software (CCP) that offers you advanced options to configure and monitor different devices. However, here are some basic steps to help you configure Cisco switches right from scratch:

• First, connect the console switch via any terminal emulation software.
• Enable the switch command to enter into the privilege mode.
• Log into the management port with default username cisco. The password for the same is the serial number of your switch chassis. For consecutive login, the CO, i.e., Crypto-Officer or the administrator must change the password for enhanced security and enable password only for the CO role. The password must be at least eight characters long with one letter, number and must be entered when CO uses the enable command.
• When the system prompts #, use this syntax: Switch(config)# enable secret [PASSWORD] CO assumes the role to configure and maintain the switches. It is also the CO’s responsibility to assign passwords to the Users who exercise security services over the network. Authentication is mandatory for Users on the console or auxiliary port.
• In configure terminal command line, enter the syntax: Switch(config)# line con 0Switch(config)# password [PASSWORD]Switch(config)# login local.
  To disable break from ROM monitor to console for automatic boot, use the value 0x0102 in the boot field.
• Enter the syntax config-register 0x0F in configure terminal command line.
• Disable Telnet.
• Configure Secure Shell with the syntax: Switch(config)# transport input ssh.
• Disable any unnecessary ports in the switch such as the following: USB 3.0 and Wireless Console Access.
• Use syntax: Switch(config)# hw-module switch 1 usbflash1 security enable password [password]Switch(config)# hw-module beacon rp active off.
• Now, set the log level to receive FIPS logging.
• Use syntax: Switch(config)# logging console error.
• Enable secure stacking and configure authorization key: Switch(config)# fips authorization-key.
• Configure the modules and assign users to the default privilege level.
  These steps place the modules in FIPS-approved mode.
  Without these, maintaining the settings mentioned above will remove the FIPS-approved mode of operation.

Of course, there is more that you can do to configure a particular network. To get detailed information, check out the Cisco hardware installation guides and configure your specific switches with absolute ease.