you can access the cli on an unconfigured switch by placing the switch in express setup mode and then connecting an ethernet port of the switch to the ethernet port of your pc or workstation. to put the switch into express setup mode, follow the steps described in the catalyst 2960 switch getting started guide for powering on the switch and using express setup.

    after the switch is in express setup mode, open a telnet session to the switch by using the ip address 10.0.0.1, and enter the setup user exec command. see these sections in this chapter to then configure the switch by using the cli:

    1 entering the initial configuration information

    2 completing the setup program

    after you have entered the configuration information for the switch, save it to flash memory by using the write memory privileged exec command.

    while in express setup mode, the ip address 10.0.0.1 remains active on the switch until you enter the write memory command. you lose the telnet connection after entering the write memory command.

    for more information about using the cli, refer to the command reference for this release.