3Com DUA1770-0AAA04 manual on page, You should use the automatic IP configuration method if

36CHAPTER 3: SETTING UP FOR MANAGEMENT

temporary as they cannot be routed but are useful for small networks which are not connected to other networks, or for initial configuration.

However, as soon as a DHCP or BootP server is detected, the Switch will configure itself with the IP address allocated by that server.

When using automatic IP configuration it is important that the IP address of the Switch is static, otherwise you will not know what the IP address is and it will be difficult to manage. Most DHCP and BootP 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/BootP server.

For a detailed description of how automatic IP configuration operates, please refer to the Implementation Guide on the CD-ROM that accompanies your Switch or on the 3Com Web site.

You should use the automatic IP configuration method if:

■your network uses DHCP or BootP to allocate IP information, or

■flexibility is needed. If the Switch is re-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 Automatically Configured IP Information” section on page 43.

Preparing for Once your Switch’s initial set up is complete you can set up your chosen Management management method as described in “Methods of Managing a Switch”

on page 46.

For detailed information about the specific web interface operations and command line interface commands and problem solving, refer to the “Management Interface Reference Guide” on the CD-ROM that is supplied with the Switch or on the 3Com Web site.