Management Access Overview - Planet Networking & Communication SGS-5220 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
Console
• Text-based
• Telnet functionality and HyperTerminal
built into Windows
95/98/NT/2000/ME/XP operating
systems
• Secure
• Text-based
Remote
• Telnet functionality built into Windows
Telnet
XP/2003, Vista, Windows 7 operating
systems
• Can be accessed from any location
• Ideal for configuring the switch remotely
Web Browser
• Compatible with all popular browsers
• 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
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User's Manual of SGS-5220 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)
• 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)