Management Access Overview - Planet SGSD-1022 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
Console
No IP address or subnet needed
Text-based
Telnet functionality and HyperTerminal
built into Windows
95/98/NT/2000/ME/XP operating
systems
Secure
Web Browser
Ideal for configuring the switch remotely
Compatible with all popular browsers
Can be accessed from any location
Most visually appealing
SNMP Agent
Communicates with switch functions at
the MIB level
Based on open standards
3.3 Administration Console
The administration console is an internal, character-oriented, and command line user interface for performing system
administration such as displaying statistics or changing option settings. Using this method, you can view the administration
console from a terminal, personal computer, Apple Macintosh, or workstation connected to the switch's console (serial) port.
There are two ways to use this management method: via direct access or modem port access. The following sections describe
these methods. For more information about using the console, refer to Chapter 5 Command Line Interface Console
Management.
Advantages
Table 3-1 Management Methods Comparison
User's Manual of SGSD-1022 / SGSD-1022P
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)
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SGSW-2840 / SGSW-2840P