A customer recently asked me if/Does Cisco had/have an alternative for certain L2 switches from another vendor that had limited L3 functionality (routed interfaces and static routing). As we/Cisco user known/To my knowledge Cisco didn’t provide such a thing. Needless to say I was pretty surprised when I discovered that the 2960 and 2960S with IP Base can route!!!
http://www.cisco.com/en/US/docs/switches/lan/catalyst2960/software/release/12.2_55_se/configuration/guide/swipstatrout.html
Cisco added this feature starting from IOS 12.2(55) SE. One can imagine a few scenarios where this can come in handy, particularly in remote locations.
This feature is limited to 8 routed interfaces (or SVIs) and a maximum of 16 static routes.
To activate it, all we need to do is change our Switch Database Management (SDM) template to "lanbase-routing" and we are good to go!
Switch(config)#sdm prefer lanbase-routing
Changes to the running SDM preferences have been stored, but cannot take effect until the next reload. Use ‘show sdm prefer’ to see what SDM preference is currently active.
Switch(config)#^Z
Switch#reload
System configuration has been modified. Save? [yes/no]: y
Proceed with reload? [confirm]
After the reload we can configure vlan interfaces like we are used to on a L3 switch. This cannot be done on physical interfaces.
Switch#conf t
Switch(config)#ip routing
Switch(config)#
Switch(config)#int vlan 10
Switch(config-if)#ip add 192.168.1.1 255.255.255.0
Switch(config-if)#
Switch(config-if)#int vlan 20
Switch(config-if)#ip add 192.168.2.1 255.255.255.0
Switch(config)#do sh ip route
C 192.168.1.0/24 is directly connected, Vlan10
C 192.168.2.0/24 is directly connected, Vlan20
More Cisco Catalyst 2960 Info and Guide:
How to Configure a Cisco 2960 Switch/Layer 2 Switch?
Tutorial: Upgrade a Cisco 2960 IOS with a Console Cable
Cisco Catalyst 2960 Series Enables Routing
More Popular Topics Related to Cisco Catalyst 2960-S FlexStack
Cisco Catalyst 2960 LAN Base Series & Catalyst 2960 LAN Lite Series
http://www.cisco.com/en/US/docs/switches/lan/catalyst2960/software/release/12.2_55_se/configuration/guide/swipstatrout.html
Cisco added this feature starting from IOS 12.2(55) SE. One can imagine a few scenarios where this can come in handy, particularly in remote locations.
This feature is limited to 8 routed interfaces (or SVIs) and a maximum of 16 static routes.
To activate it, all we need to do is change our Switch Database Management (SDM) template to "lanbase-routing" and we are good to go!
Switch(config)#sdm prefer lanbase-routing
Changes to the running SDM preferences have been stored, but cannot take effect until the next reload. Use ‘show sdm prefer’ to see what SDM preference is currently active.
Switch(config)#^Z
Switch#reload
System configuration has been modified. Save? [yes/no]: y
Proceed with reload? [confirm]
After the reload we can configure vlan interfaces like we are used to on a L3 switch. This cannot be done on physical interfaces.
Switch#conf t
Switch(config)#ip routing
Switch(config)#
Switch(config)#int vlan 10
Switch(config-if)#ip add 192.168.1.1 255.255.255.0
Switch(config-if)#
Switch(config-if)#int vlan 20
Switch(config-if)#ip add 192.168.2.1 255.255.255.0
Switch(config)#do sh ip route
C 192.168.1.0/24 is directly connected, Vlan10
C 192.168.2.0/24 is directly connected, Vlan20
More Cisco Catalyst 2960 Info and Guide:
How to Configure a Cisco 2960 Switch/Layer 2 Switch?
Tutorial: Upgrade a Cisco 2960 IOS with a Console Cable
Cisco Catalyst 2960 Series Enables Routing
More Popular Topics Related to Cisco Catalyst 2960-S FlexStack
Cisco Catalyst 2960 LAN Base Series & Catalyst 2960 LAN Lite Series