3.2 Basic Configuration of the Switch
3.2.3 Naming the switch

Every switch arrives from the factory with the same default prompt. In a large campus network, it is crucial to establish a coherent naming structure for the switches. This is especially true because most network administrators use Telnet to connect to many switches across the campus.

To set the host or system name on a Cisco IOS software-based switch such as the Cisco 2900 XL, enter the following command in global configuration mode:

Switch(config)#hostname name

where name can be from 1 to 255 alphanumeric characters.

As soon as you execute the hostname command, the system prompt assumes the hostname, as you can see in Figure . To remove the system name, enter the no hostname command in global configuration mode.

If your switch is a set-based switch, the name you assign for the system name is used to define the system prompt. To assign a system name to the switch, enter the following command in privileged mode: 

System> (enable) set system name name

where name sets the system's name. 

You can assign a name to the CLI prompt that differs from the system. To assign a unique name to the CLI prompt, enter the following command in privileged mode.

System> (enable) set prompt name 

where name sets the CLI prompt.

Lab Activity
  In this lab activity, you will learn how to configure a Cisco Catalyst 2900 Ethernet switch for first time.