CONFIGURING THE SWITCH

-If two ports of a switch are connected to the same segment and there is no other STA device attached to this segment, the port with the smaller ID forwards packets and the other is discarding.

-All ports are discarding when the switch is booted, then some of them change state to learning, and then to forwarding.

Forward Transitions – The number of times this port has changed from the Learning state to the Forwarding state.

Designated Cost – The cost for a packet to travel from this port to the root in the current Spanning Tree configuration. The slower the media, the higher the cost.

Designated Bridge – The bridge priority and MAC address of the device through which this port must communicate to reach the root of the Spanning Tree.

Designated Port – The port priority and number of the port on the designated bridging device through which this switch must communicate with the root of the Spanning Tree.

Oper Link Type – The operational point-to-point status of the LAN segment attached to this interface. This parameter is determined by manual configuration or by auto-detection, as described for Admin Link Type in STA Port Configuration on page 3-169.

Oper Edge Port – This parameter is initialized to the setting for Admin Edge Port in STA Port Configuration on page 3-169(i.e., true or false), but will be set to false if a BPDU is received, indicating that another bridge is attached to this port.

Port Role – Roles are assigned according to whether the port is part of the active topology connecting the bridge to the root bridge (i.e., root port), connecting a LAN through the bridge to the root bridge (i.e., designated port), or is the MSTI regional root (i.e., master port); or is an alternate or backup port that may provide connectivity if other

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SMC6824M specifications

The SMC Networks SMC6824M is a robust and reliable managed switch that caters to the needs of small to mid-sized businesses, as well as enterprise environments. This switch is designed to provide enhanced performance, scalability, and security for network infrastructures that require efficient traffic management and comprehensive control.

One of the key features of the SMC6824M is its 24 10/100/1000BASE-T ports, which offer lightning-fast Ethernet connectivity. These ports are capable of auto-negotiation, allowing devices to automatically adjust their settings for optimal performance, making it easier to integrate various hardware into existing networks. Additionally, the switch includes four Gigabit SFP slots for fiber uplinks, which allow for extended connectivity options and improved network design.

The SMC6824M employs advanced Layer 2 and Layer 3 functionalities, giving network administrators the tools they need to manage their networks effectively. It supports features like VLAN (Virtual Local Area Network) support and Quality of Service (QoS), ensuring efficient bandwidth management and enhanced performance for critical applications. Through VLAN segmentation, it can isolate network traffic for different departments or functions, enhancing security and reducing congestion.

The switch also offers comprehensive network management capabilities through SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) and a web-based interface, enabling easy configuration, monitoring, and troubleshooting. The SMC6824M includes support for port mirroring, which is important for diagnostics and monitoring network performance.

Another significant characteristic of the SMC6824M is its redundancy features, which include IEEE 802.1d Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) to prevent loops and provide network resilience. This is essential for maintaining continuous operation, especially in dynamic environments where network availability is critical.

In terms of security, the SMC6824M supports 802.1X port-based authentication, ensuring that only authorized devices gain access to the network. This feature is crucial for protecting sensitive data and maintaining the integrity of the network.

Overall, the SMC Networks SMC6824M is a versatile and feature-rich managed switch that delivers the performance and flexibility required to support growing networks. Its combination of layer management, security features, and user-friendly interface makes it an excellent choice for organizations looking to enhance their network infrastructure.