Management Access Overview - Planet Networking & Communication SGS-5240 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
• No IP address or subnet needed
• Text-based
• Workstations have been installed with
Console
terminal emulator, such as Tera Term
or PuTTY
• Secure
• Ideal for configuring the switch remotely
• Compatible with all popular browsers
Web Browser
• Can be accessed from any location
• Most visually appealing
• Communicates with switch functions at
SNMP Agent the MIB level
• Based on open standards
Advantages
Table 3-1 Comparison of Management Methods
36
User's Manual of SGS-5240 Series Managed Switch
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)