Building Small Network with Interconnected 2960Xs - No Connectivity

[ChrisMorris2]

I am trying to create a network with a client connected to a 2960X, which connects to a second 2960X switch, which connects to a server. I have setup the switch connected to the client with an IP address of 10.0.1.1 for its vlan1. The second switch has an IP address of 10.0.2.1 set for its vlan1. I then interconnected the two switches using the GigabitEthernet1/0/1 interface in trunking mode on each switch. I was not able to ping the second switch, so I then configured the GigabitEthernet1/0/2 interface in access mode and connected the two switches. I am still not able to ping the second switch from either side.

What do I need to do to get this setup working? Should I be using a single VLAN that spans the two switches? Should I be using trunking or access mode for the interface that interconnects the two switches?

[Reza Sharifi]

From you explanation you only have one vlan (vlan1) on both switches right?

What is the mask you are using for 10.0.1.1 and 10.0.2.1?

Best practice is to make the connection between the switches a trunk port, so in case you need to add a new vlan to the link, there will be no need for an outage.

Can you post the output of "sh run" and "sh vlan" from both switches?

Are the vlan interfaces up?

sh ip int brie vlan1

HTH

[ChrisMorris2]

That is correct, each switch has only one vlan, vlan1.

Subnet mask is 255.255.255.0.

Thanks, will change all interswitch connections to trunk. Will leave all host to switch connections at access.

Unfortunately, I cannot post the output as it is from a terminal that cannot be connected to the Internet or even the Intranet and USB storage is not permitted in the area, so I cannot copy the output into a text file on a USB drive. I would have to type everything out. If there are parts of the sections of these commands that may be show the issue, please let me know and I can type up those sections.

vlan interfaces are both up.

[Reza Sharifi · Accepted solution]

Ok, if the mask is 255.255.255.0 then these IP (10.0.1.1 and 10.0.2.1) are not in the same subnet.  So, since you only have one vlan with a /24 mask the ips need to be as follows;

example:

switch-1 10.0.1.1 255.255.255.0

switch-2 10.0.1.2 255.255.255.0

Once you configure the ports between the switches as trunk, you should be able to ping 10.0.1.2 from switch-1 and 10.0.1.1 from switch -2 and also from you hosts.

HTH

[ChrisMorris2]

Thanks Reza, it's working now. Are there any resources you would recommend for starting out working with Cisco switches?

[Reza Sharifi]

Chris,

There are a lot of resources out there, but probably the easiness way is to start with the config guide.

This is specifically for the 2960x switches but the concept is the same for all Cisco switches

http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/switches/lan/catalyst2960x/software/15-0_2_EX/vlan/configuration_guide/b_vlan_152ex_2960-x_cg/b_vlan_152ex_2960-x_cg_chapter_011.html

http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/switches/lan/catalyst2960x/software/15-0_2_EX/routing/configuration_guide/b_rt_152ex_2960-x_cg/b_rt_152ex_2960-x_cg_chapter_010.html

Good Luck

Reza