Configuring a Cisco switch for first-time deployment usually includes console access, basic security, setting a management IP, VLAN preparation, trunk uplinks, and enabling SSH for remote access. Follow these simple best practices to set up a new network switch. I don't like graphical GUI or web management at all, so I will show you command line configuration (CLI) which is much more powerful and actually forces the administrators to learn what they. A Cisco switch is different from a regular plug-and-play switch. An IOS is a Cisco proprietary operating system. This tutorial explains essential. Configuring a Cisco switch properly means your network can make connections efficiently.