Here are the key tasks for initial configuration of a Cisco switch:
- Setting the enable and console passwords to secure access to privileged modes (Password must be between 4 and 8 characters)
- Setting the hostname to identify the switch
- Configuring the IP address and subnet mask on VLAN 1 to allow remote management via SSH/Telnet
- Configuring basic security settings like disabling unused ports, protocols, and services
- Configuring spanning tree protocol (STP) for redundancy and loop prevention in switched networks
- Verifying port status and connectivity using show commands