Management interface
Communication plane
Connection port
Connector type
management port
(networked, out of band)
Figure D-1. C-class enclosure OA Management port
Out-of-band management (OOBM) operates on a "management plane" that is
separate from the "data plane" used by data traffic on the switch and by in-
band management traffic. That separation means that out-of-band manage-
ment can continue to function even during periods of traffic congestion,
equipment malfunction, or attacks on the network. In addition, it can provide
improved switch security: a properly configured switch can limit management
access to the management port only, preventing malicious attempts to gain
access via the data ports.
Network OOBM typically occurs on a management network that connects
multiple switches. It has the added advantage that it can be done from a central
location and does not require an individual physical cable from the manage-
ment station to each switch's console port.
The table below summarizes the switch management ports.
Table A-1. Switch Management Ports
In Band
Networked
command line (CLI), menu, Web command line (CLI), menu
data plane
any data port
usually RJ-45; also CX4, SFP,
SFP+, and XFP
Network Out-of-Band Management (OOBM)
Out Of Band
Directly connected
management plane
dedicated serial or USB
console port
OA C-class DB9 serial
Concepts
Networked
command line (CLI), menu
management plane
dedicated networked
management port
Mini-b USB
G-3