Can't connect to Catalyst 3550 in network assistant

[laurence.james]

Hi all, new to the forum and to networking in general.

Bought a Catalyst 3550 switch to play around with.

Running Cisco Networking Assistant on a Macbook via Windows XP boot-camped. 

Got my macbook and the switch connected using a Cat5.

When i go through device set up wizard, it can't locate and connect the switch. I have my wifi disconnected when i do this. 

Strangly, at the beginning of the device setup wizard, it asks me to select a device from a drop down menu. The only device available to select is a CE520. 

Either i think this is the problem (can't select a 3550) - any idea why?

Or maybe its because i am running in boot camp?

Any help is appreciated.

I've put a photographs in to show you what i see.

Thanks

[Mark Malone]

3550 is supported on 5 and 6 network assistant so it should work ,have you followed quick start guide below and added your ip of the device

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http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/net_mgmt/cisco_network_assistant/version1_0/quick/guide/gsg/install.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NarbRHBeZLI      good video for 6.1

[laurence.james]

Hi Mark,

Thanks for your response. 

As a complete beginner when it comes to networking i am unsure how to give the switch an IP address. Do i do this by connecting to the console or is it something i do within Windows XP?

Many Thanks

[Mark Malone]

If your changing the ip on the switch you would change it by console

This link shows how to access switch, if its a switch give vlan 1 the ip address

http://www.omnisecu.com/cisco-certified-network-associate-ccna/how-to-use-putty-to-configure-or-monitor-a-cisco-router-or-switch.php

[laurence.james]

Hi Mark, I've finally got round to getting back to this (got a baby girl that has taken up a lot of my time!). I've created myself a RJ45 to female 9 way d-type cable, and purchased a USB to serial converter. I've installed the drivers for the serial converter. I have also downloaded putty. I connect the my serial converter to the console output of the switch. Under my device manager, it says i am connected to COM3 and the device is working properly. I am unsure if this is just the serial converter or my connection to the switch. When i open putty, put all the setting in, 8N1 and COM3, it opens putty however i cannot type anything. Any idea what this could be? Thanks

[Mark Malone]

does anything come up at all , even bad characters ?

have you tried to go direct without the converter connect the DB9  to a desktop pc to see if its the same

hopefully console is working or else switch is useless