We'll cover the basics of IP addressing, explain how to find the MAC address of your switch, and show you how to use the command line to assign an IP address. If you are unfamiliar with terms in this document, check out Cisco Business: Glossary of New Terms. Important: If your switch is in one of the stacking modes with. To configure an IP Address on a switch interface, first, we must change the interface from a layer 2 interface to a layer 3 interface. This means that you can buy a Cisco switch, plug in the right cables to connect various devices to the switch, power it on, and the switch will work properly. Exact commands and menus may vary by vendor and model, so refer to the switch manual or vendor configuration guide for device-specific details.