Does Vlan1 require an IP? Numerous other Switch config questions...

[Internexus]

Okay currently we have 2 switches installed into a rack, they have 3 vlans on them.... Vlan1, 100, and 200. To my understanding these switches were used with a Cisco IP phone system which is no longer in use. What I want to do is just setup the whole switch for a single vlan so I can plug in any port and have functionality, utilizing spanning tree, and a gigabit card off the front linking the 2 switches.

I have a 3rd one that I am doing the programming on so there is no downtime (hopefully to just plug this one in place of the other...)

I went through each interface and did away with switchport encapsulation, trunk native vlan 100, switchport mode trunk, and switchport voice vlan 200.

I left spanning-tree portfast on each interface.

Knocked out vlan 100 and 200. Originally I am noticing that vlan1 did not have an IP assigned to it but on the switch I am redoing I did add an IP to it. Do I need to leave this machine IP'less for easy functionality? Also do I actually need to program an "ip default-gateway"? I added one in there and am noticing the current working switches do not have this either... I imagine it will determine what it's gateway is on its own?

I don't need to program one of the fast ethernet ports specifically to go to my router do I? I should be able to just plug that in and spanning-tree determine the routes necessary if I am thinking correctly.

Thanks for any/all help guys!
-sean

 

[vipergg]

If you are putting all the switches in vlan 1 then just add a different ip address for each switch , this will allow you to telnet to each switch without having to use a console cable. Make sure to set passwords for you vty (telnet) and also add an enable password . The switch and stations will need a default gateway if you are routing anything like out to the internet or other vlans etc... The default gateway would be the address of the router . You will need a connection to the router if you have other vlans or internet connections . Stations on vlan 1 would not need a router to talk to each other . The ip address on the switches is strictly for managing the switch and is not used for anything else if these are strict L2 switches . Spanning tree has nothing to do with routing , it is a protocol used to keep from having network loops on redundant connected switches . Doesn't sound like you should have to worry about this with just 2 switches.

 

[Internexus]

Okay currently they only have an IP for the VLAN100 on each switch. What's goofy is the IP they are configured for isnt even my network... I think they are still configured for the network they came from... I already have teh vty/enable password etc all takin care of.

On hte already configured switches I don't even see a gateway listed?! They have an IP name-server chosen that is once again not on my network... I know the IP to my router and its not in use anywhere on this.

I should just be able to plug the router right into port 1 and be good to go for that correct? I should just be able to have all ports 1-24 on vlan1 and have functionality correct? Including the router being one of them that goes onto one of those ports...

 

[vipergg]

Yes you can put everyone into vlan 1 and then plug into the router , but you will still need a default gateway for the users if they have to be routed off vlan 1 . No way around this .

 

[Internexus]

Are the NTP Clock period and server required for this to function you think? Also can the router be programmed to be looking specifically for the IP currently on these switches instead of automatically finding switches plugged in? I am just wondering why I couldnt originally get this to work yesterday.

 

[vipergg]

NTP is not needed to function , this is only to keep the router clock accurate if had a centralized ntp server that picked up an atomic clock signal from somewhere . Not sure what you are asking on your second question , the router has to be configured for whatever subnets you want to run and route off the router . The router does not automatically find anything , it needs to be configured .