Management Access Overview - Planet GS-5220 Series User Manual

3.2 Management Access Overview

The Managed Switch gives you the flexibility to access and manage it 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 Managed 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.
Method
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
Web
• Ideal for configuring the switch
Browser remotely
• Compatible with all popular
browsers
• Can be accessed from any location
• Most visually appealing
SNMP Agent
• Communicates with switch
functions at the MIB level
• Based on open standards
Advantages
Table 3-1 Comparison of Management Methods
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User's Manual of GS-5220 LCD Series
Disadvantages
• Must be near the switch or use dial-up
connection
• Not convenient for remote users
• Modem connection may prove to be
unreliable or slow
• Security can be compromised (hackers
need only know the IP address and
subnet mask)
• May encounter lag times on poor
connections
• 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)