Talk:Cisco Catalyst

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12 May 2006:

Any Catalyst that runs IOS is also capable of functioning as a Router, making them layer 3 devices

This is not always the case. There are many cat switches that are orderable as enterprise or non-enterprise (SMI or EMI software images). The SMI models will still have an IOS cli but will not have routing features. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 64.166.144.11 (talk • contribs)

This is not correct. In fact, to clear up this confusion, Cisco changed the naming standards from "SMI" and "EMI" to "IP Base" and "IP Services", to reflect that all images are Layer 3 capable, but that some have more features than others. 71.121.234.162 18:08, 23 April 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Actually, the 2960 runs IOS and does not support routing. However, all devices above (3560+) do. --Mattsday 01:08, 16 November 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Some newer models of Catalyst switches no longer allow access to IOS or CatOS at all - these switches can only be conifigured by using a Graphical User Interface (GUI).

Is that true? I am working with cat os switches. On the new ones you can't choose between CatOs and IOS, you have only IOS. But only GUI? I don't think this statment is true. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 84.61.146.106 (talk • contribs)

This is not true, this line should be removed. Newer switches run Native mode IOS, some also have a rudimentary HTTP interface, although in practice this is typically not used and for security is disabled. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 68.72.138.181 (talk • contribs)

I will have to support you. I think this would be suicidal. Yeah, GUI may be friendly and technically possible, but they will be pushing it to users who have culturally engrained mindset that GUI are inferior. That, at a time when Cisco has real rival would be a hallmark of bad management

May be they can initially allow both GUI and CLI until the vetran age off, but making it impossible to use command line would be stupid. And while we arew on this topic, I think it would only be motivated to seeling configuration software, possible tied to Windows. Good luck —Preceding unsigned comment added by 80.240.194.10 (talk • contribs)

I have edited the page to remove this statement, and have replaced it with a paragraph discussing the use of 'ip http-server'. I work on a very large network that uses a significant amount of Cisco Catalyst switches (from basic 2950-series switches up to large Cat6000-series switches), so I think I would have seen a switch that only allows configuration via a GUI. Jpmanalo 10:41, 20 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Unfortunately, your edit is invalid, as the CE 500 series switches have never been CLI capable. They don't even have a console port. You can't even telnet to them. So, I am adding this statement back, as it is completely true and valid. The only methods for managing CE series switches is via the built in GUI or the Cisco Network Assist (also a GUI). 71.121.234.162 18:08, 23 April 2007 (UTC)[reply]

The Catalyst Express 500 switch does not allow access to CLI. The only way to configure the device is through a GUI, which offers only basic configuration options. —Preceding unsigned comment added by AlasdairM (talk • contribs)