Cisco switches run either the Cisco Internetworking Operating System (IOS) or the CatOS operating system. You can use commands that are compatible with both operating systems to find the IP address of a Cisco switch.
Step 1
Plug the Cisco serial console cable into the 9-pin serial communications port typically located on the back panel of the Windows XP computer. Plug the other end of the serial console cable into the console port (usually labeled "console") on the Cisco switch.
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Step 2
Click "Start" button, then "All Programs", "Accessories," "Communications" and "HyperTerminal". Type a name for the HyperTerminal session, such as "Cisco" in the "Name:" field and click the "OK" button. Select the "Com port" used to connect the computer to the Cisco switch from the drop-down menu and click the "OK" button. Select "9600" in the "Bits per second" drop-down menu, and select "None" in the "Flow Control" drop-down menu, then click the "OK" button.
Step 3
Press the "Enter" key a few times until the Cisco command prompt appears. Type the password (if required) to access the command line interface of the Cisco switch.
Step 4
Type "enable" and press the "Enter" key. Provide the "Privileged Exec" password, if requested, and press the "Enter" key.
Step 5
Type "show running-config" or "show config" and press the "Enter" key. The IP address or addresses assigned to interfaces on the switch are displayed in the command line interface output.
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