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Cisco 2960 Homelab Switch Setup + IOS Upgrade (LAN Base with SSH)

Switch Model

  • Device: Cisco Catalyst 2960 Plus Series (SI)
  • Original IOS: c2960-lanlitek9-mz.152-2.E5.bin (LAN Lite — no SSH support)
  • Target IOS: c2960-lanbasek9-mz.152-7.E12.bin (LAN Base — crypto/SSH support)

Final Switch Configuration

User + SSH Access

hostname HomelabSwitch
!
enable secret YourEnableSecret123
username admin privilege 15 secret YourSecurePass123
!
ip domain-name tkcloudstack
crypto key generate rsa
! (Choose 1024 bits)
ip ssh version 2
!
line vty 0 4
login local
transport input ssh
!
line con 0
login local
!
no ip http server
no ip http secure-server
!
interface vlan 1
 ip address 192.168.1.10 255.255.255.0
 no shutdown
!
ip default-gateway 192.168.1.1
!
interface range fa0/1 - 24
 no shutdown
!
write memory

🚀 IOS Upgrade Process Summary

1. ✅ Download New IOS

  • File used: c2960-lanbasek9-mz.152-7.E12.bin
  • Placed in: /private/tftpboot/ on macOS

2. 🛠 Start macOS TFTP Server

sudo mkdir -p /private/tftpboot
sudo chmod 777 /private/tftpboot
sudo cp ~/Downloads/c2960-lanbasek9-mz.152-7.E12.bin /private/tftpboot/
sudo launchctl load -F /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/tftp.plist

3. 📡 Assign IP to Switch + Enable Ports

interface vlan 1
 ip address 192.168.1.10 255.255.255.0
 no shutdown
exit

interface range fa0/1 - 24
 no shutdown
exit

ip default-gateway 192.168.1.1

4. 📤 Transfer IOS from Mac to Switch

copy tftp: flash:
  • Remote host: 192.168.1.51 (Mac IP)
  • Source filename: c2960-lanbasek9-mz.152-7.E12.bin

5. 🧭 Set Boot Image

configure terminal
boot system flash:c2960-lanbasek9-mz.152-7.E12.bin
exit
write memory

6. 🔄 Reload and Verify

reload
show version
show ip ssh

✅ Post-Upgrade Status

  • SSH v2 supported and enabled
  • Console + VTY login secured
  • Switch reachable at 192.168.1.10
  • VLAN 1 used for management
  • Mac-based TFTP workflow confirmed functional

Let me know if you'd like a Markdown version or PDF export format for your repo/docs!