Introduction

This document is a guide for using the console switch setup to quickly assign an IP (Internet Protocol) address and subnet mask to the switch, set a manager password, and, optionally, configure other basic features.

For more information on using the switch console and the other switch management interfaces like the web browser interface,SNMP management tool, ProCurve Manager, refer to the Management and Configuration Guide. Click here to go to the Management and Configuration Guide .

Recommended minimal configuration

In the factory default configuration, the switch has no IP (Internet Protocol) address and subnet mask, and no passwords. In this state, it can be managed only through a direct console connection. To manage the switch through inband (networked) access, you should configure the switch with an IP address and subnet mask compatible with your network. Also, you should configure a Manager password to control access privileges from the console and web browser interface. Other parameters in the Switch Setup screen can be left at their default settings or you can configure them with values you enter.

Many other features can be configured through the switch’s console interface, to optimize the switch’s performance, to enhance your control of the network traffic, and to improve network security. Once an IP address has been configured on the switch, these features can be accessed more conveniently through a remote Telnet session, through the switch’s web browser interface, and from an SNMP network management station running a network management program, such as ProCurve Manager.

For more information on IP addressing, refer to IP Configuration in the Management and Configuration Guide. Click here to go to the Management and Configuration Guide .

Using the console setup screen

The quickest and easiest way to minimally configure the switch for management and password protection in your network is to use a direct console connection to the switch, start a console session, and access the Switch Setup screen .

1. Using this method connect a terminal device to the switch and display the switch console command (CLI) prompt (the default display).
   The CLI prompt appears displaying the switch model number:
   ProCurve Switch 2520-8 #
2. At the prompt, enter the setup command to display the Switch Setup screen. Fig 1 shows the Setup screen with the default settings.
   Figure 1: HP ProCurve 2520 console manager mode

   
3. Use the [Tab] key to select the Manager Password field and enter a manager password of up to 16 characters.
4. [Tab] to the IP Config (DHCP/Bootp) field and use the Space bar to select the Manual option.
5. [Tab] to the IP Address field and enter the IP address that is compatible with your network.
6. [Tab] to the Subnet Mask field and enter the subnet mask used for your network.
7. Press [Enter ], then [S ] (for Save).

Parameter	Recommendations
System name	Default : Blank Optional : Up to 25 characters, including spaces
System contact	Default : Blank Optional : Up to 48 characters, including spaces
Manager password	Default : Blank Recommended : Up to 16 characters (no blank spaces)
Logon default	Default : CLI Alternative : The default setting selects the command line interface for console access whereas the alternative is the menu interface.
Time zone	Default : 0 (none) Optional : 1440 to -1440. The number of minutes your location is to the West (-) or East (+) of GMT.
Community name	Default : Public Recommended : Default setting recommended.
Spanning tree enabled	Default : No Recommended : Default setting recommended unless STP is already running on your network or the switch will be used in complex network topologies.
Default gateway	Default : Blank Optional : Enter the IP address of the next-hop gateway node if network traffic needs to be able to reach off-subnet destinations.
Time sync method	Default : None Optional : The protocol the switch uses to acquire a time signal. The options are SNTP and TimeP.
TimeP mode	Default : Disabled Optional : The method the switch uses to acquire the TimeP server address.
IP config (DHCP/Bootp)	Default : DHCP/Bootp Optional : Set to Manual unless a DHCP/Bootp server is used on your network to configure IP addressing.
IP address	Default : xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx Recommended : If you set IP Config to Manual, then enter an IP address compatible with your network.
Subnet mask	Default : xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx Recommended : If you entered an IP address, then enter a subnet mask compatible with your network.
NOTE: The IP address and subnet mask assigned for the switch must be compatible with the IP addressing used in the network. For more information on IP addressing refer to the Management and Configuration Guide. Click here to go to the Management and Configuration Guide .