cisco 2950 desktop switch

to connect over the console cable use hyperterminal.

Settings are:

bits per second: 9600
data bit: 8
parity: none
stop bit: 1
flow control: none

There is not much to setup on the switch except for the IP address of the switch on VLAN1. You can then connect over a web browser after setting the IP address.

****
config t
interface Vlan1
ip address 192.168.0.253 255.255.255.0
****

If you have MACs you may want to disable spanning tree on the vlan and each ethernet port.Appletalk and spanning tree don't mix.

no spanning-tree vlan 1
!
!
interface FastEthernet0/1
spanning-tree portfast

Take a look here for detailed information:

http://www.cisco.com/univercd/cc/td/doc/product/lan/cat2950/

Delete any spaces in the URL.

Once you set up your system to work as a console
you can access the interface and set up the switch. Thisdocumentation should provide you with detailed instructions about security, vlans, etc.

Good luck!