Management Access Overview - Planet WGSW-20160HP 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
• 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
User's Manual of WGSW-20160HP/WGSW-24040HP series
Advantages
Table 3-1 Comparison of Management Methods
45
Disadvantages
• Must be near 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)