Chapter 3: Switch Management

Table 1: Management Methods Comparison

Method

Advantages

Disadvantages

Web Browser

Ideal for configuring the switch

 

 

remotely

 

Compatible with all popular

 

 

browsers

 

Can be accessed from any location

 

Most visually appealing

Security can be compromised (hackers need only know the IP address and subnet mask)

May encounter lag times on poor connections

SNMP Agent

Communicates with switch

 

 

functions at the MIB level

 

Based on open standards

Requires SNMP manager software

Least visually appealing of all three methods

Some settings require calculations

Security can be compromised (hackers need only know the community name)

Console

No IP address or subnet needed

 

Text-based

 

Telnet functionality and

 

 

HyperTerminal built into Windows

 

 

95/98/NT/2000/ME/XP operating

 

 

systems

 

Secure

Must be near switch or use dial-up connection

Not convenient for remote users

Modem connection may prove to be unreliable or slow

Web Browser Management

The Managed Switch offers management features that allow users to manage the Managed Switch from anywhere on the network through a standard browser such as Microsoft Internet Explorer. After you set up your IP address for the switch, you can access the Managed Switch's Web interface applications directly in your Web browser by entering the IP address of the Managed Switch.

You can then use your Web browser to list and manage the Managed Switch configuration parameters from one central location, just as if you were directly connected to the Managed Switch's console port. Web Management requires either Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 or later, Safari or Mozilla Firefox 2.0 or later.

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GE 82-POE, GE-DS-82 user manual Web Browser Management, Management Methods Comparison