22CHAPTER 1: GETTING STARTED
IP Configuration The switch’s IP configuration is determined automatically using DHCP, or manually using values you assign.
Automatic IP Configuration using DHCP
By default the switch tries to configure its IP Information without requesting user intervention. It tries to obtain an IP address from a DHCP server on the network.
Default IP Address If no DHCP server is detected, the switch will use its default IP information. The default IP address is 169.254.x.y, where x and y are the last two bytes of its MAC address.
Note: The switch’s default IP address is listed on a label located on the rear of the switch.
If you use automatic IP configuration it is important that the IP address of the switch is static, otherwise the DHCP server can change the switch’s IP addresses and it will be difficult to manage. Most DHCP servers allow static IP addresses to be configured so that you know what IP address will be allocated to the switch. Refer to the documentation that accompanies your DHCP server.
You should use the automatic IP configuration method if:
■your network uses DHCP to allocate IP information, or
■flexibility is needed. If the switch is deployed onto a different subnet, it will automatically reconfigure itself with an appropriate IP address, instead of you having to manually reconfigure the switch.
If you use the automatic IP configuration method, you need to discover the automatically allocated IP information before you can begin management. Work through the “Viewing IP Information using the Console Port” on page 25.
Manual IP Configuration
When you configure the IP information manually, the switch remembers the information that you enter until you change it again.
You should use the Manual IP configuration method if:
■You do not have a DHCP server on your network, or
■You want to remove the risk of the IP address ever changing, or
