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Figure 5 shows that more than half of the average network administrator’s time is spent with network configuration,
troubleshooting, monitoring, and installation. The tools offered as part of smart operations are meant to reduce
that time so that network administrators can have more time to optimize the network to deliver the best possible
experience to their end users.
Smart Install
Smart Install is a plug-and-play configuration and image-management feature that provides zero-touch
deployment for the Cisco Catalyst 3850, 3750, 3560, 2975, and 2960 Series of switches. This means that a
customer can ship a switch to a location, place it in the network, and power it on with no configuration required on
the device. With Cisco IOS
®
Software Release 15.1(1)SY and newer, the Cisco Catalyst 6500-E with Supervisor
Engine 2T acts as the Smart Install director, as shown in the architecture in Figure 6.
Figure 6. Smart Install Architecture and Operation
The Smart Install operation requires no technical expertise of the person installing the new switch. After the switch
is connected, the system will dynamically detect what type of switch it is and then begin the image load and
configuration processes automatically. If a Cisco IOS Software upgrade of existing switches is needed, the director
can push down a new software version to a single client or to all clients in a group (for example, all Cisco Catalyst
3850 switches).
To enforce security of the environment, network administrators can set a join window on the director so that no
clients can be brought online during unauthorized times. The director can act as both the Dynamic Host
Configuration Protocol (DHCP) and Trivial File Transfer Protocol (TFTP) servers for the clients, eliminating the
need for services external to the local network infrastructure.
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