About This Guide...............................................................................................................................................................................................1

Overview of this User's Guide .....................................................................................................................................................................1

Introduction.........................................................................................................................................................................................................2

Layer 3 Switching...........................................................................................................................................................................................2

The Functions of a Layer 3 Switch..........................................................................................................................................................3

Features ...........................................................................................................................................................................................................3

Ports...............................................................................................................................................................................................................3

Performance Features...................................................................................................................................................................................4

Layer 2 Switching Features......................................................................................................................................................................4

Layer 3 Switching Features......................................................................................................................................................................4

Traffic Classification and Prioritization...............................................................................................................................................5

Management ................................................................................................................................................................................................5

Optional Redundant Power Supply........................................................................................................................................................6

Fast Ethernet Technology.............................................................................................................................................................................6

Gigabit Ethernet Technology .......................................................................................................................................................................6

Unpacking and Setup........................................................................................................................................................................................7

Unpacking........................................................................................................................................................................................................7

Installation......................................................................................................................................................................................................7

Desktop or Shelf Installation...................................................................................................................................................................7

Rack Installation ........................................................................................................................................................................................8

Power on...........................................................................................................................................................................................................9

Power Failure...............................................................................................................................................................................................9

Identifying External Components ................................................................................................................................................................10

Front Panel....................................................................................................................................................................................................10

Rear Panel .....................................................................................................................................................................................................10

Side Panels....................................................................................................................................................................................................11

LED Indicators..............................................................................................................................................................................................11

Connecting The Switch ...................................................................................................................................................................................12

PC to Switch..................................................................................................................................................................................................12

Switch to Switch (other devices) ...............................................................................................................................................................12

Switch Management and Operating Concepts..........................................................................................................................................14

Local Console Management ...................................................................................................................................................................14

IP Addresses and SNMP Community Names ...................................................................................................................................15

Traps............................................................................................................................................................................................................16

MIBs ............................................................................................................................................................................................................17

SNMP..........................................................................................................................................................................................................17

Packet Forwarding....................................................................................................................................................................................18

MAC Address Aging Time......................................................................................................................................................................18

Filtering ......................................................................................................................................................................................................18

IP Addressing and Subnetting...............................................................................................................................................................19

802.1Q VLANs .........................................................................................................................................................................................23

Spanning Tree Protocol............................................................................................................................................................................28

Internet Protocols......................................................................................................................................................................................34

The Domain Name System.....................................................................................................................................................................42

DHCP Servers............................................................................................................................................................................................42

Routing........................................................................................................................................................................................................42

ARP..............................................................................................................................................................................................................43

Multicasting...............................................................................................................................................................................................43