Cisco Catalyst 4900 Switches

Vibrant's Cisco 4900 Switch Overview:

The Catalyst 4900 Cisco switch series is a low latency high performance Layer 2 and 3 wire speed service router available in 1 or 2 rack unit setups that is excellent for space conscious deployment areas.

What Makes The Cisco Catalyst 4900 a popular switch option

The reasons why the Catalyst 4900 series is popular today are two fold. One set of features is lucrative for Data Centers while the other is excellent for Branch offices.

Server Aggregation In Data Center Features The flexibility offered in link use helps to help provide support for Layer 2 and 3 as and when needed by accordingly managing the architecture available. This is probably the biggest advantage of the Cisco 4900 above all other models. Then there is the capability to smoothly transition from the 10/100/1000 to the impressive 10GB Ethernet lines. Add to the transport flexibility that provides support for video applications, high performance computing and storage with edge switch auto provisioning and you got yourself a winner.

Branch Offices With Distributed Aggregation and LAN Collapsed Core For branch offices that demand high performance get a maximum of 320 Gbps forwarding capacity with the ability to support 10 Gb Ethernet interfaces and a whole host of other connections including multilayer support for IPv6 and main routing protocols. Then there is the ability to add in fans, redundant power supply and more. In fact, migrating to the 10 GB Ethernet connection is inexpensive with the 4900 Catalyst line. The Cisco 4948E, latest addition to the 4900 series inherits all these features plus offers front-to-back airlow, 10Gb Ethernet uplinks and hardware inclusive of IPv6.

Overall Review

Because the five available models in the 4900 series are distinct in their offerings from each other, it is best to look at each one of them separately and discuss their benefits. Here are the 4900 Catalyst models in order of oldest first.

Cisco 4948 Switch The 4948 switch is a layer 2 to layer 4 low latency wire speed fixed configuration switch with a single rack unit that is excellent for rack optimized server switching. Using the same hardware and software architecture from the previous 4500 series, the 4948 offers multilayer aggregation, low density reliability with exceptional performance at a much reduced price. It comes with a total of 48 ports of BASE-T 10/100/1000 and 4 wired alternative ports that can utilize optional 1000BASE-X SFP optics. It can use hot swappable power supplies and a hot swappable fan with redundant fans in a 1+1 AC or DC configuration.

Cisco Catalyst 4948 10GB Ethernet Switch The 10GE switch or the 4948 10GE is also a Layer 2 to Layer 4 single rack unit fixed configuration low latency wire speed switch excellent for server switching that uses the older 4500 series architecture. Naturally just like the basic 4948 switch, it offers good multilayer aggregation, good performance and bandwidth with reliability  except for workstations and larger setups. It comes with 2 ports for X2 SFP ports and 48 10/100/1000 BASE-T ports with the same optional internal power supply and fan setups.

Cisco 4948E And 4948E-F Switch The next model actually comes in two variants namely the 4948E and the 4948E-F with single Rack Unit, fixed configuration Layer 2 to Layer low latency switching. Using the 4948 architecture and setup, this revamped model now provides double the uplink capacity with 4 10GB Ethernet uplinks plus direct IPv6 hardware support. Besides it can be configured with back-to-front or vice versa cooling as required during deployment. The 4948E and 4948E-F however continue to offer 48 10/100/1000 ports, 4 SFP ports with 1000BASE-X and SFP+ optics and internal power and fan support.

Cisco 4928 10GB Ethernet Switch Called the midsized LAN aggregation branch switch, the Cisco 4928 10GB switch is a high performance branch based LAN aggregation deployment with Layer 2 to Layer 4 support that is great for small form factor solutions. It comes with 28 ports for SFP and two X2 optic 10GB Ethernet ports, the remaining features staying the same. Some attractive features of this model include its QoS and innovative security, lower latency with Layer 2-4 switching, 71 million packet speed at 48 Gbps performance hot swappable tray for redundant fans and power supply in AC or DC with 1+1 configuration.

Cisco 4900M Catalyst Switch The most advanced among all 4900 switches is the Catalyst 4900M that is excellent for space constricted deployments where high availability, high wire speed access performance and modular flexibility is a must while staying in the small 2RU form factor. This line offers low latency, 10GB Ethernet, higher performance with top of the line layer switching solutions great for rack-optimized servers. This model will come handy where core-distribution deployment and collapsed LAN setup is required with certain amount of flexibility in deployment.

Cisco 4900 Switch Prices: - looking to buy a Cisco 4900 Series Switch?  Vibrant has quality, tested and guaranteed used Catalyst 4900 Switches for sale at deep discounts off the manufacturer's pricing. Prices can change (from great value to amazing deal) with current market conditions and current stock “ but you'll get an incredible value from Vibrant Technologies, as an independent, industry leading reseller making switching affordable for IT buyers since 1998.

Cisco 4900 GUI / interface:  Cisco Catalyst 4900 switches can be managed with Cisco Network Assistant that offers centralized management and configuration.  This free tool works in both secure and unsecure environments and can manage standalone devices or groups of devices or switches (in communities or clusters) from anywhere in the intranet. Cisco Network Assistant Quick Tips; images included: http://www.cisco.com/en/US/prod/collateral/netmgtsw/ps6504/ps5931/prod_white_paper0900aecd802d1b95.html Image link from Cisco: http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/ps5931/prod_view_selector.html

Cisco 4900 Manuals and User Guides:  1. Cisco Catalyst 4900 Switch Installation Guide (PDF format): http://www.cisco.com/en/US/docs/switches/lan/catalyst4900/4900M/installation/guide/4900M2.pdf 2. Cisco Catalyst 4900 Series Configuration Guides: http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/ps6021/products_installation_and_configuration_guides_list.html 3. Cisco Catalyst 4900 Series Switches Troubleshooting the Installation Guide: http://www.cisco.com/en/US/docs/switches/lan/catalyst4900/4900M/installation/guide/07trblsh.html

Cisco 4900 Emulators:  1.  TechRepublic post on free emulator; also explains difference between stimulators and emulators: http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/networking/practice-cisco-router-configuration-using-a-free-emulator/419 2. Dynamips (software that emulates Cisco IOS on a traditional PC): http://www.gns3.net/dynamips/ 3. Dynagen (a front-end for use with the Dynamips Cisco router emulator): http://dynagen.org/ 4. GNS3 (open source software that simulate complex networks): http://www.gns3.net/ 5. Cisco Learning Lab for SWITCH; note fees are involved: https://learningnetworkstore.cisco.com/market/prod/productView.se.work?/nxt/rcrs/proieidentity/=19434&/nxt/rcrs/aisidentity/=2560#.UjpGPD9WmkZ 6. WebNMS Simulation for Cisco IOS: http://www.webnms.com/simulator/cisco-ios-simulation.html  

Can you help with the following defaults for a 4900? * Default username: * Default password: * Default IP Address: For default username/password, a member on the Cisco Support Community reports: œThis is no default username/password included in a switch. You will need to enter the following command. username <username> password <password> Obviously remove the <> in username and password. If you don't set this, the only other way you can connect is via telnet, console, and or ssh. Under line vty you need to enter 'login' and then 'password <password>' with the specific password.

Password Recovery Instructions: For Catalyst 4900 switches that run Cisco IOS software, visit Cisco's page on the password recovery procedure. Also see the Cisco page entitled œPassword Recovery Procedures, which Cisco explains is an index of password recovery procedures for Cisco products including various switch models.  When following any password recovery procedure, Cisco notes that physical access to the equipment is required for security purposes.  

How to do a factory reset of a Cisco 4900: Refer to Cisco's page Reset a Cisco Router to Factory Default Settings.  You must have enable access (also known as œprivileged EXEC) access on the router.  

What is the Boot System Command for a Cisco 4900? To specify the system image that the router loads at startup, use one of the following boot system global configuration commands. To remove the startup system image specification, use the no form of the command. boot system file-url no boot system file-url boot system flash [flash-fs:][partition-number:][filename] no boot system flash [flash-fs:][partition-number:][filename] boot system mop filename [mac-address] [interface] no boot system mop filename [mac-address] [interface] boot system rom no boot system rom boot system {rcp | tftp | ftp} filename [ip-address] no boot system {rcp | tftp | ftp} filename [ip-address] no boot system You can also review Cisco's Booting Commands page for additional information and booting commands.

How would you do a œBreak Sequence for a Cisco 4900? Review Standard Break Key Sequence Combinations During Password Recovery for possible break key combinations.  

How to erase a config on a Cisco 4900? Refer to Cisco's page Reset a Cisco Router to Factory Default Settings.  You must have enable access (also known as œprivileged EXEC) access on the router.  

How to set the time zone on a Cisco 4900? You can use the clock timezone command to set the time zone for display purposes.  

How do you execute a boot system command on a 4900? To specify the system image that the router loads at startup, use one of the following boot system global configuration commands. To remove the startup system image specification, use the no form of the command. boot system file-url no boot system file-url boot system flash [flash-fs:][partition-number:][filename] no boot system flash [flash-fs:][partition-number:][filename] boot system mop filename [mac-address] [interface] no boot system mop filename [mac-address] [interface] boot system rom no boot system rom boot system {rcp | tftp | ftp} filename [ip-address] no boot system {rcp | tftp | ftp} filename [ip-address] no boot system  

What are some other common commands for a Cisco 4900? Common Commands for the Cisco Catalyst 4900 Switches: show version :   Display the Cisco 4900 Hardware and Software status: show flash :  Displays all the files and directories contained within the flash of your 4900 show-mac-address-table : To get the MAC address of external hardware connected to one of the ports on your 4900 switch show interfaces :  Provide all relevant information related to your 4900 interfaces ip address : configure the IP address of specific interfaces show running-config :  Brings up the status of the RAM show startup config :  Displays status of the NVRAM show history : View the last 10 commands performed on your 375  

Cisco 4900 Visio Stencil: See the Cisco Visio Stencils page at http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/hw/prod_cat_visios.html.  You will need Microsoft Vision Standard or Professional in order to view and use these stencils correctly. Request a quote today for current pricing and availability, or call our Cisco team at 952-653-1700. 

Contact Options Contact our Cisco networking team directly at info@vibrant.com or 888-443-8606 with any questions. For more information on new, refurbished or used Cisco 4900 Series Switches - to buy or sell, please contact Cisco sales at info@vibrant.com or call 1.888.443.8606 and ask for our Cisco team.