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DGS-3224TG Gigabit Ethernet Switch User's Guide
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Collecting information about the status and current configuration of network devices.
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Modifying the configuration of network devices.
The DGS-3224TG has a software program called an 'agent' that processes SNMP requests, but the user
program that makes the requests and collects the responses runs on a management station (a
designated computer on the network). The SNMP agent and the user program both use the UDP/IP
protocol to exchange packets.
Authentication
The authentication protocol ensures that both the router SNMP agent and the remote user SNMP
application program discard packets from unauthorized users. Authentication is accomplished using
'community strings', which function like passwords. The remote user SNMP application and the router
SNMP must use the same community string. SNMP community strings of up to 20 characters may be
entered under the Remote Management Setup menu of the console program.
Packet Forwarding
The switch enters the relationship between destination MAC or IP addresses and the Ethernet port or
gateway router the destination resides on into its forwarding table. This information is then used to
forward packets. This reduces the traffic congestion on the network, because packets, instead of being
transmitted to all ports, are transmitted to the destination port only. Example: if Port 1 receives a
packet destined for a station on Port 2, the switch transmits that packet through Port 2 only, and
transmits nothing through the other ports. This process is referred to as 'learning' the network
topology.
MAC Address Aging Time
The Aging Time affects the learning process of the Switch. Dynamic forwarding table entries, which are
made up of the source and destination MAC addresses and their associated port numbers, are deleted
from the table if they are not accessed within the aging time.
The aging time can be from 17.2 to 2,200 seconds with a default value of 300 seconds. A very long
aging time can result in dynamic forwarding table entries that are out-of-date or no longer exist. This
may cause incorrect packet forwarding decisions by the Switch.
If the Aging Time is too short however, many entries may be aged out too soon. This will result in a high
percentage of received packets whose source addresses cannot be found in the forwarding table, in
which case the switch will broadcast the packet to all ports, negating many of the benefits of having a
switch.
Static forwarding entries are not affected by the aging time.
Filtering
The switch uses a filtering database to segment the network and control communication between
segments. It can also filter packets off the network for intrusion control. Static filtering entries can
be made by MAC Address filtering.
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Troubleshooting
