Cisco 2960 Router Confusion

Hi, first of all you do not want a router, but you need a switch... which the Cisco 2960 series model products  are ... routers are something quite different.....

Any 2960 switch should be fine... go for the 8 port ones preferably, such as you describe above as they are fanless and silent as well as quite small.

The Fast Ethernet or Gigabit Ethernet are fine...Naim streamers only connect as Fast Ethernet anyway.. Fast Ethernet is backwards compatible with Gigabit Ethernet.

if factory reset, the switch works as a basic Ethernet switch within a single VLAN, so will be plug and play like a consumer unmanaged switch. By default the 2960 has loop detection protection on (loops can bring down a LAN, not much issue for a home network, but can be devastating for a commercial LAN).. this means you will notice that by default it takes longer for a 2960 switch port to become active on connection or power up compared to a simple consumer switch.

Hi Simon - thanks for the prompt response and I did mean to write 'Switch' rather than 'Router', sorry.  Ok great, this removes the doubts I had about getting the non-G version.  New speakers are arriving tomorrow, then I'm adding in a Hi-Line and new mains block over the next few days, so will allow these items to bed in first before switching the switch so as to ensure I can detect/isolate its impact.

Just FYI that for anyone looking at getting a Cisco 2960, you can find some new/unopened ones on the usual auction site for £50 (or less - my offer was accepted).

Catcat posted:

Hi

...........But there are some new old stock, unopened 2960G models suddenly available on the auction site.........

Think I may have just bought one of the above (5, now 4). 

Appears brand new, but minus the original (serial DB25) console cable. Never mind, works just fine out of the box, no need even to reset. For the price, nothing to complain about - recommended.

Note 8-port is the original 7 + 1 dual port (uplink) rather than the later 8 + 1 config. Again, total 8 ports should be fine. If you have a Mac, you’ll need to get a USB or USB C to Cisco RJ45 console cable if you want to peer into the switch management, but not essential.

Best,

KR, J

Dr_J posted:

Catcat posted:

Hi

...........But there are some new old stock, unopened 2960G models suddenly available on the auction site.........

Think I may have just bought one of the above (5, now 4). 

Appears brand new, but minus the original (serial DB25) console cable. Never mind, works just fine out of the box, no need even to reset. For the price, nothing to complain about - recommended.

Note 8-port is the original 7 + 1 dual port (uplink) rather than the later 8 + 1 config. Again, total 8 ports should be fine. If you have a Mac, you’ll need to get a USB or USB C to Cisco RJ45 console cable if you want to peer into the switch management, but not essential.

Best,

KR, J

Hi 

Thanks for the info - I just got mine out of the box and was just googling setup info which implied I needed to connect to a computer with RJ45 connection (which none of my Macs have) for setup.

So did you just plug yours in, power it up, connect all the devices from your previous switch, and all good?

You do not need to connect an ethernet cable to your switch if you plan to use it as a unmanaged switch, you just to reset it. To reset it, do the following:

1) Make sure that nothing is connected to the switch, just connect it to the power cable.

2) To reset the switch, press and hold the Mode button. The switch LEDs begin blinking after about 3 seconds. Continue holding down the Mode button. The LEDs stop blinking after 7 more seconds, and then the switch reboots. The switch now behaves like an unconfigured switch.

Catcat posted:

Just FYI that for anyone looking at getting a Cisco 2960, you can find some new/unopened ones on the usual auction site for £50 (or less - my offer was accepted).

You might need to check the firmware... if new old stock and not been used before it might early/buggy firmware.... best to get a used one that has been in service if you can unless you are prepared to check and upgrade yourself if necessary.

Frank Yang posted:

You do not need to connect an ethernet cable to your switch if you plan to use it as a unmanaged switch, you just to reset it. 

I think you mean connect up and configure using the serial or USB leads... all switches require Ethernet leads..... A factory reset switch will be plug and play.

Catcat posted:

So did you just plug yours in, power it up, connect all the devices from your previous switch, and all good?

If factory reset which it almost certainly will be.. but see above post for steps if not, it’s simplu plug and play as you describe....

Simon-in-Suffolk posted:

Frank Yang posted:

You do not need to connect an ethernet cable to your switch if you plan to use it as a unmanaged switch, you just to reset it. 

I think you mean connect up and configure using the serial or USB leads... all switches require Ethernet leads..... A factory reset switch will be plug and play.

Silly me, thanks for correction Simon - My mind was miles away when I wrote it .

Simon-in-Suffolk posted:

Catcat posted:

So did you just plug yours in, power it up, connect all the devices from your previous switch, and all good?

If factory reset which it almost certainly will be.. but see above post for steps if not, it’s simplu plug and play as you describe....

Thanks Simon.  It *appears* to be working (have now gone into OCD mode and tidying up cables) in that the NDX can see/search Tidal.  So I have the NDX, NAS and router plugged into the Cisco and have then daisy-chained the old-but-trusty Netgear switch to handle TV/DVD/Apple TV duties.  Let me know your thoughts on this set up.

At my dealer’s advice, the switch is *not* plugged into the mains block for the Naim kit,  but into the big-standard one for the TV etc.

Catcat posted:

Simon-in-Suffolk posted:

Catcat posted:

So did you just plug yours in, power it up, connect all the devices from your previous switch, and all good?

If factory reset which it almost certainly will be.. but see above post for steps if not, it’s simplu plug and play as you describe.....

At my dealer’s advice, the switch is *not* plugged into the mains block for the Naim kit,  but into the big-standard one for the TV etc.

 

My 2960 uses a spare tail on the Grahams Hydra - Against received wisdom, but it’s neat and sounds excellent.

G

Cables tidied (well, tidier) and we have sound again!  Simple plug and play thankfully.

Having fitted a Hi Line and new mains block at the same time, plus new speakers bedding in (3-4 hours play so far), any sonic differences will be impossible to identify.  I still have the old switch running off the Cisco so at some point I can switch the Ethernet cables over, but having spent 5 hours on all this (1.5 hrs just for the Hi Line) I just want a drink now! Air’s Moon Safari sounding pretty good though.

Catcat posted:

Cables tidied (well, tidier) and we have sound again!  Simple plug and play thankfully.

Hi Catcat,  you have a system similar to mine - NDX Supernait - and I'm a tidy cable OCD,  I'll show you my tidy if you show me yours.  

Sorry folks  -----  thread drifting (my bad) way off course 

Mike-B posted:

Catcat posted:

Cables tidied (well, tidier) and we have sound again!  Simple plug and play thankfully.

Hi Catcat,  you have a system similar to mine - NDX Supernait - and I'm a tidy cable OCD,  I'll show you my tidy if you show me yours.  

Sorry folks  -----  thread drifting (my bad) way off course 

If you can show me how to post photos, i’ll show you a pleasing ‘after’ photo and a ‘before’ one you won’t be able to unsee.

Catcat posted:

If you can show me how to post photos, i’ll show you a pleasing ‘after’ photo and a ‘before’ one you won’t be able to unsee.

The way I do it:     I use 'Imgur' (an open source [free] image sharing host) & upload photos to Imgur.

To attach an Imgur photo to a Naim post:    In Imgur; open the photo (click on the thumbnail) & touch the 'Copy' button on the Direct Link line, or, right click the image & 'Copy Image Address'.

On the Naim post screen: Touch the Insert/edit image & paste the Imgur copy into the Source window & touch OK. The picture will appear in the post screen.         You can adjust the picture size by highlighting the picture & dragging the corner blocks.

(end of thread drift - sorry folks) 

Simon-in-Suffolk posted:

Catcat posted:

So did you just plug yours in, power it up, connect all the devices from your previous switch, and all good?

If factory reset which it almost certainly will be.. but see above post for steps if not, it’s simplu plug and play as you describe....

Just a heads up - if you upgrade to Cisco’s latest recommended firmware (IOS) version, current Mac browsers, eg Safari, are no longer supported., Some/most features of the web manager no longer work. You’ll have to manage the switch from a Windows PC.

Hey, ho.

KR, J

NB No impact if simply using as an unmanaged switch as described above.

Dr_J posted:

Simon-in-Suffolk posted:

Catcat posted:

So did you just plug yours in, power it up, connect all the devices from your previous switch, and all good?

If factory reset which it almost certainly will be.. but see above post for steps if not, it’s simplu plug and play as you describe....

Just a heads up - if you upgrade to Cisco’s latest recommended firmware (IOS) version, current Mac browsers, eg Safari, are no longer supported., Some/most features of the web manager no longer work. You’ll have to manage the switch from a Windows PC.

Hey, ho.

KR, J

NB No impact if simply using as an unmanaged switch as described above.

I wasn't aware that there was a browser interface available for the Catalyst switches, I thought you had to use the CLI to log in and manage them. How do you do that?

Google Catalyst 2960 Switch Getting Started Guide, you will know what to do...

I just plugged in the device and I was off,  no problems.  As new old stock, the software/firmware probably won’t be up-to-date, but no issues so far.

ChrisSU posted:

Dr_J posted:

Simon-in-Suffolk posted:

Catcat posted:

So did you just plug yours in, power it up, connect all the devices from your previous switch, and all good?

If factory reset which it almost certainly will be.. but see above post for steps if not, it’s simplu plug and play as you describe....

Just a heads up - if you upgrade to Cisco’s latest recommended firmware (IOS) version, current Mac browsers, eg Safari, are no longer supported., Some/most features of the web manager no longer work. You’ll have to manage the switch from a Windows PC.

Hey, ho.

KR, J

NB No impact if simply using as an unmanaged switch as described above.

I wasn't aware that there was a browser interface available for the Catalyst switches, I thought you had to use the CLI to log in and manage them. How do you do that?

Follow the guides for Express Setup

https://www.cisco.com/c/dam/en...ges/2960S_gsg_en.pdf

You will need to have a standalone personal computer (not plugged into any other network) connected to the switch via a single patch lead.

In step 7 you can create a loop back address for the switch so you can browse to the switch when in normal use and other devices are connected to it.

The web interface essentially provides very basic control functions as well as useful status info and simple profile configurationsetup using Cisco’s defaults. However to programme the switch more precisely you will need to telnet or SSH in ... Cisco provide plenty of guides on this....

However still remember the switch will be fine for typical home network use in its default state and nothing is required to setup.

Also note earlier 2960 switches  didn’t support this method, so one had to go via serial telnet interface to create a web loopback address and enable the web browser.

Simon-in-Suffolk posted:

The web interface essentially provides very basic control functions as well as useful status info and simple profile configurationsetup using Cisco’s defaults. However to programme the switch more precisely you will need to telnet or SSH in ... Cisco provide plenty of guides on this....

However still remember the switch will be fine for typical home network use in its default state and nothing is required to setup.

Also note earlier 2960 switches  didn’t support this method, so one had to go via serial telnet interface to create a web loopback address and enable the web browser.

For those needing to access their switch via telnet/ssh here is a nice little client app :
https://www.chiark.greenend.or...am/putty/latest.html

And of course if you use the mac OSX you can telnet/SSH via Ethernet directly from the command window interface on the mac as standard.

I have one of the newer, white 2960s that had been extensively configured by a large multinational company, whose identity was left on the switch. As a complete novice, it took me quite a bit of head scratching and Googling to get through this and reset it, but I got there in the end, using a USB connection to a Mac, and SecureCRT (free trial) for SSH session.

I've installed a couple of the older blue 2960s with no need for any configuration, so I guess I was just unlucky with the white one. 

Chris, you do not  need to use SecureCRT, and I believe that telnet is not available (by default on the MacOS High Sierra), but of course you can search and get a telnet command line version that can work on your Mac.

However, you can use nc (netcat) on any MacOS and it works perfectly. The following shows a netcat session on my macbook pro:

% nc 192.168.0.199 23

User Access Verification

Password: <hidden>

switch>enable

enable

switch01#show ntp status

show ntp status

Clock is synchronized, stratum 2, reference is 17.253.4.253

nominal freq is 119.2092 Hz, actual freq is 119.2089 Hz, precision is 2**18

reference time is DE909CF9.00188BE4 (19:35:21.000 UTC Sun Apr 29 2018)

clock offset is 1.3168 msec, root delay is 51.03 msec

root dispersion is 12.42 msec, peer dispersion is 10.09 msec

switch01#