- 15 -
CHAPTER 3 CONFIGURATION
This chapter explains the methods that you can use to configure management access to the Switch. It
describes the types of management applications and the communication and management protocols
that deliver data between your management device (workstation or personal computer) and the system.
It also contains information about port connection options.
This chapter covers the following topics:
Management Access Overview
Key Concepts
Key Guidelines for Implementation
Administration Console Access
Web Management Access
SNMP Access
Standards, Protocols, and Related Reading

3.1 Management Access Overview

The Switch gives you the flexibility to access and manage the Switch using any or all of the following
methods:
An administration console
Web browser interface
An external SNMP-based network management application
The administration console and Web browser interface support are embedded in the Switch software
and are available for immediate use. Each of these management methods has their own advantages.
Table 3-1 compares the three management methods.

TABLE 3-1 COMPARISONS OF THREE MANAGEMENT METHODS

Management
Method Advantages Disadvantages
Administration
console
No IP address or subnet needed
Text-based
Telnet functionality and HyperTerminal
built into Windows 95/98/NT/2000/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
Ideal for configuring the Switch
remotely
Compatible with all popular browsers
Security can be compromised
(hackers need only know the IP
address and subnet mask)