Chapter 1: Switch Management Overview - NETGEAR FS728TS User Manual

SWITCH MANAGEMENT OVERVIEW
CHAPTER 1:
This section gives an overview of switch management, including the methods you can use to manage your NETGEAR Prosafe FS700TS family of
10/100 Stackable Smart Switches with Gigabit Ports.
Your NETGEAR Prosafe FS700TS family of 10/100 Stackable Smart Switches with Gigabit Ports contains software for viewing, changing, and
monitoring the way it works. This management software is not required for the switch to work. You can use the 10/100 Mbps ports and the built-in
Gigabit ports without using the management software. However, the management software allows you configure ports, VLAN and Trunking
features and also improve the efficiency of the switch and, as a result, improve the overall performance of your network. The Switch gives you the
flexibility to access and manage the switch using any of the following methods:
•
Smart Wizard Discovery Utility program
•
Web browser interface
After you power-up the switch for the first time, you can configure it using the Smart Wizard Discovery Utility or a Web browser. Please refer to the
screenshots in following pages for the Smart Wizard Discovery Utility and Web Management GUI. Each of these management methods has
advantages. Table 1-1 compares the three management methods.
Table 1 – 1: Comparing Switch Management Methods
Management Method
Smart Wizard Discovery
Utility program
Web browser
For a more detailed discussion of the Smart Wizard Discovery Utility Program, see section 4. For a more detailed discussion of the Web Browser
Interface, see section 5.
Advantages
No IP address or subnet needed
Show all switches on the network
User-friendly interface
Firmware upgradeable
Can be accessed from any location via the switch's IP
address
Password protected
Ideal for configuring the switch remotely
Compatible with Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator
Web browsers
Intuitive browser interface
Most visually appealing
Extensive switch configuration allowed
Configuration backup for duplicating settings to other
switches
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