GS-4012F/4024 User’s Guide

VRRP

Virtual Router Redundancy Protocol (VRRP), defined in RFC 2338, allows you to create redundant backup gateways to ensure that the default gateway of a host is always available.

STP (Spanning Tree Protocol) / RSTP (Rapid STP)

(R)STP detects and breaks network loops and provides backup links between switches, bridges or routers. It allows a switch to interact with other (R)STP -compliant switches in your network to ensure that only one path exists between any two stations on the network.

Link Aggregation

Link aggregation (trunking) is the grouping of physical ports into one logical higher-capacity link. You may want to trunk ports if for example, it is cheaper to use multiple lower-speed links than to under-utilize a high-speed, but more costly, single-port link.

Port Authentication and Security

For security, the switch allows authentication using IEEE 802.1x with an external RADIUS server and port security that allows only packets with dynamically learned MAC addresses and/or configured static MAC addresses to pass through a port on the switch.

Maintenance and Management Features

•Access Control

You can specify the service(s) and computer IP address(es) to control access to the switch for management.

•Cluster Management

Cluster management (also known as iStacking) allows you to manage switches through one switch, called the cluster manager. The switches must be directly connected and be in the same VLAN group so as to be able to communicate with one another.

•Configuration and Firmware Maintenance

You can backup or restore the switch configuration or upgrade the firmware on the switch.

1.3Hardware Features

This section describes the ports on the switch.

Mini-GBIC Slots

Install SPF transceivers in these slots to connect to other Ethernet switches at longer distances than the Ethernet port.

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Chapter 1 Getting to Know Your Switch