The switch IP address is configured as part of installing the switch. Refer to the installation guide for your switch.
The switch IP address should remain configured across power cycles, upgrades and so on, so you should not need to configure the switch IP address often. However, if you do need to configure or reset the switch's IP address, you must use the nm3tool.
For example, to establish an SSH session to the switch, type:
ssh root@host_IP_address
When you login, you will be at the switch's bash prompt.
[root@switch1 ~]# nm3tool
When the tool starts, a menu is displayed.
Main Menu (0.1.5.0) 1. Change IP address (current config: 10.11.12.13 current active: 10.11.12.13) 2. Change hostname (current config: switch1.us.company.com current active: switch1.us.company.com) 3. Perform chassis upgrade (q to quit) Select:3 Transfer method? (scp,http,ftp,tftp): scp ip or hostname: 123.45.67.89 path/filename: firmware-0.1.6.0 username: root password: ******** ... Upgrade complete. [root@switch1 ~]#