Understanding The Ethernet Management Port - Cisco Catalyst 3750-X Software Configuration Manual

Chapter 13 Configuring Interface Characteristics

Understanding the Ethernet Management Port

The Ethernet management port, also referred to as the Fa0 or fastethernet0 port, is a Layer 3 host port
to which you can connect a PC. Y ou can use the Ethernet management port instead of the switch console
port for network management. When managing a switch stack, connect the PC to the Ethernet
management port on a Catalyst 3750-X or Catalyst 3750-E stack member.
When connecting a PC to the Ethernet management port, you must assign an IP address.
For a Catalyst 3560-X switch or a standalone Catalyst 3750-X switch, connect the Ethernet management
port to the PC as shown in
Figure 13-2
In a stack with only Catalyst 3750-X or Catalyst 3750-E switches, all the Ethernet management ports on
the stack members are connected to a hub to which the PC is connected. The active link is from the
Ethernet management port on the stack master through the hub, to the PC. If the stack master fails and
a new stack master is elected, the active link is now from the Ethernet management port on the new stack
master to the PC. See
In a mixed switch stack with Catalyst 3750 switches, only the Catalyst 3750-E and Catalyst 3750- X
stack members are connected to the PC through the Ethernet management ports. The active link is from
the stack master, a Catalyst 3750-E or Catalyst 3750- X switch to the PC. If the stack master fails and
the elected stack master is not a Catalyst 3750-E or Catalyst 3750- X switch (switch 2), the active link
can be from a stack member to the PC.
OL-21521-01
Figure
Connecting a Switch to a PC
Ethernet
management
Switch
port
Network
ports
Network
cloud
Figure 13-3.
13-2.
Catalyst 3750-X and 3560-X Switch Software Configuration Guide
Using the Ethernet Management Port
PC
13-23