> # Management Interface Configuration

> The management interface on the switch allows multiple simultaneous Telnet or SNMP sessions. You can remotely configure the switch through the management interface, but first you must configure IP version 4 (IPv4) parameters (IP address, subnet mask) or an IP version 6 (IPv6) address and prefix length so that the switch is reachable. For information on configuring IPv6 addresses, see "Configuring IPv6 for Gigabit Ethernet Interfaces."

> On director class switches, a single IP address is used to manage the switch. The active supervisor module's management (mgmt0) interface uses this IP address. The mgmt0 interface on the standby supervisor module remains in an inactive state and cannot be accessed until a switchover happens. After a switchover, the mgmt0 interface on the standby supervisor module becomes active and assumes the same IP address as the previously active supervisor module.

> Note The port on the Ethernet switch to which the MDS management interface is connected should be configured as a host port (also known as access port) instead of a switch port. Spanning tree configuration for that port (on the Ethernet switch) should disabled. This helps avoid the delay in the MDS management port coming up due to delay from Ethernet spanning tree processing that the Ethernet switch would run if enabled. For Cisco Ethernet switches, use either the switchport host command in Cisco IOS is or the set port host command in the Catalyst OS. Refer to the configuration guide for your Ethernet switch.

> Note Before you begin to configure the management interface manually, obtain the switch’s IP address and IP subnet mask. Also make sure the console cable is connected to the console port.

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