is 2950T switch be converted to Cat OS

[mahesh18]

Hi all,

i have 2950 T  IOS  based switch.

Can i convert into CAT  OS  as  i need to  learn  CAT  OS.

or  is there any cat os switch which is cheap that i can buy ?

thanks

mahesh

[Peter Paluch · Accepted solution]

Mahesh,

The C2950 cannot be converted to CatOS, and as far as I know, the CatOS has always been used only on the high-end switches before Cisco migrated their IOS from routers to switches. As the CatOS is not actively developed anymore (please correct me if I am wrong), there are only legacy installations available. Sadly, the platforms on which the CatOS could run are probably too expensive even if used.

Best regards,

Peter

[Amit Singh · Accepted solution]

Agree with Peter on this. You cannot have 2950 running CatOS. Its an IOS device only.

Infact 2950 has been EOL/EOS'ed by Cisco a few years back. It will be good to get it replaced with new 2960 switches that only runs IOS.

Cheers,

-amit singh

[mahesh18]

Hi Amit and peter.

Many thanks for reply.

i will continue working with IOS  as Cat os is out of my reach.

Regards

mahesh

[Richard Burts · Accepted solution]

Amit

Advice  to upgrade to 2960 is good advice to someone who is really running a  network. But this thread is clearly about someone who is trying to learn  networking and is looking for devices to use in the learning process.

Mahesh

I  am not sure that there are many choices of platform for you and the  ones that might do are pretty expensive. But since you asked about what  the possibilities are, I have looked and found these alternatives.

- from one document on the Cisco web site:

Switches running CatOS include the Catalyst 4500/4000, 5500/5000, and 6500/6000 series switches.

see this link for further detail:

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/tech/tk389/tk689/technologies_configuration_example09186a0080094784.shtml

- another article added these choices:

This       includes the Catalyst 2948G, 4912G, and 2980G Switches

see this link for further details:

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/tech/tk389/tk213/technologies_configuration_example09186a008014edfa.shtml

HTH

Rick

[mahesh18]

Hi Ricard,

I appreciate your response.

Many thanks for it.

i will  check my options.

Regards

Mahesh

[Nathan Spitzer]

Why are you learning CatOS? CatOS goes EOL in a couple of years and if you dont have it now, you won't ever as all th equipment that supports it is end-of-sale. IMHO your time would be better spent learning advanced IOS topics like TCL scripting or ensuring you have in-depth understanding of spanning-tree, rapid spanning-tree and MST that I find many people dont have.

[glen.grant · Accepted solution]

If you feel you need to learn catos then look for an old 2948G   which would

be least expensive catos box you could buy .

[mahesh18]

Hi glen,

thanks for reply.

i found one cheap hope i will get it.

thanks

mahesh

[Leo Laohoo]

Can i convert into CAT  OS  as  i need to  learn  CAT  OS.

1.  You can't load CatOS into a 2950.

2.  Cheapest CatOS appliance is the 2948-GE-TX because no one likes to use CatOS.

3.  Why do you want to learn a "dying" language like CatOS?

[mahesh18]

Hi,

I am learning CAT  OS as some companies still use them.

It helps you in job searh.

thanks for reply

mahesh

[Leo Laohoo]

I am learning CAT  OS as some companies still use them.

Not for long.