Page 1
SuperStack ® Switch 4900 Series Getting Started Guide Switch 4900 (3C17700) Switch 4900 SX (3C17702) Switch 4924 (3C17701) Switch 4950 (3C17706) http://www.3com.com/ Part No. DUA1770-0AAA04 Published August 2002...
Page 2
All other company and product names may be trademarks of the respective companies with which they are associated. ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT It is the policy of 3Com Corporation to be environmentally-friendly in all operations. To uphold our policy, we are committed to: Establishing environmental performance standards that comply with national legislation and regulations.
ONTENTS BOUT UIDE Conventions Related Documentation Accessing Online Documentation Product Registration Documentation Comments NTRODUCING THE 4900 S UPER TACK WITCH ERIES About the Switches Summary of Hardware Features Switch — Front View Detail 100/1000BASE-T and 10/100/1000BASE-T Ports 1000BASE-SX Ports GBIC Ports LEDs Switch —...
Page 4
Manually Configuring IP Information Connecting to a Front Panel Port Connecting to the Console Port Viewing Automatically Configured IP Information Using 3Com Network Supervisor Connecting to the Console Port Methods of Managing a Switch Command Line Interface Management Web Interface Management...
Page 5
Modem Cable RJ-45 Pin Assignments ECHNICAL PECIFICATIONS ECHNICAL UPPORT Online Technical Services World Wide Web Site 3Com Knowledgebase Web Services 3Com FTP Site Support from Your Network Supplier Support from 3Com Email Support Telephone Support Returning Products for Repair NDEX...
Most user guides and release notes are available in Adobe Acrobat Reader Portable Document Format (PDF) or HTML on the 3Com World Wide Web site: http://www.3com.com/...
BOUT UIDE Conventions Table 1 Table 2 list conventions that are used throughout this guide. Table 1 Notice Icons Icon Notice Type Description Information note Information that describes important features or instructions. Caution Information that alerts you to potential loss of data or potential damage to an application, system, or device.
There are other publications you may find useful: Documentation accompanying the Advanced Redundant Power System. Documentation accompanying the Expansion Modules. Documentation accompanying 3Com Network Supervisor. This is supplied on the CD-ROM that accompanies the Switch. Accessing Online The CD-ROM supplied with your Switch contains the following online...
3Com recommends that you copy the Docs/referenceguide directory as a whole to maintain the structure of the files. Product You can register your SuperStack 3 Switch on the 3Com Web site to Registration receive up-to-date information on your product: http://support.3com.com/registration/frontpg.pl Documentation Your suggestions are very important to us.
NTRODUCING THE 4900 S UPER TACK WITCH ERIES This chapter contains introductory information about the Switch 4900, 4900 SX, 4924 and 4950 and how they can be used in your network. It covers summary information about the hardware. The information for all the Switches in the Switch 4900 Series is the same unless otherwise stated.
Switches, see “Creating an XRN Distributed Fabric” page 24. For more information about 3Com XRN Technology and how to use it in your network, refer to the Implementation Guide on the CD-ROM that accompanies the Switch. For information about using the software features of the Switch, refer to the “SuperStack 3 Switch Management Interface Reference Guide”...
About the Switches Summary of Table 3 summarizes the hardware features that are supported by the Hardware Features Switches. Table 3 Hardware features Feature Switch 4900 Series Fast Ethernet Switch 4900: 12 Auto-negotiating 100BASE-TX/1000BASE-T and Gigabit ports Ethernet Ports Switch 4900 SX: 12 Auto-negotiating 1000BASE-SX ports Switch 4924: 24 Auto-negotiating 10BASE-T/100BASE-TX/1000BASE-T ports Switch 4950: 12 Auto-negotiating...
1: I 4900 S HAPTER NTRODUCING THE UPER TACK WITCH ERIES Switch Front — View Detail Figure 1 Switch 4900 — front view Figure 2 Switch 4900 SX — front view...
Page 15
Switch — Front View Detail Figure 3 Switch 4924 — front view Figure 4 Switch 4950 — front view WARNING: RJ-45 Ports. These are shielded RJ-45 data sockets. They cannot be used as standard traditional telephone sockets, or to connect the unit to a traditional PBX or public telephone network.
1: I 4900 S HAPTER NTRODUCING THE UPER TACK WITCH ERIES 100/1000BASE-T and The 100BASE-TX/1000BASE-T and 10BASE-T/100BASE-TX/1000BASE-T 10/100/1000BASE-T ports have RJ-45 connectors and are configured as Auto MDIX Ports (cross-over). The default state for these ports is auto-negotiation enabled, where the speed, duplex and flow control modes of a link are automatically detected to provide the highest available bandwidth with the link partner.
Switch — Front View Detail LEDs Table 4 lists LEDs visible on the front of the Switch, and how to read their status according to color. For information on using the LEDs for problem solving, see “Checking for Correct Operation of LEDs” page Table 4 LED behavior Color...
1: I 4900 S HAPTER NTRODUCING THE UPER TACK WITCH ERIES Color Indicates Layer 3 LED Green The Switch software supports Layer 3. The Switch software does not support Layer 3. Switch — Rear Figure 5 Switch 4900 — rear view View Detail Figure 6 Switch 4900 SX —...
Figure 8 Switch 4950 — rear view Unit Information This label shows the following: Label The 3Com product name of the Switch The 3Com 3C number of the Switch The unique MAC address (Ethernet address) of the Switch The serial number of the Switch You may need this information for fault reporting purposes.
1: I 4900 S HAPTER NTRODUCING THE UPER TACK WITCH ERIES Console Port The console port allows you to connect a terminal and perform remote or local out-of-band management. The console port uses a standard null modem cable and is set to auto-baud (up to a maximum of 19200 baud), 8 data bits, no parity and 1 stop bit.
NSTALLING THE WITCH This chapter contains the information you need to install and set up the Switch. It covers the following topics: Package Contents Choosing a Suitable Site Rack-mounting Placing Units On Top of Each Other Creating an XRN Distributed Fabric The Power-up Sequence Switch 4950 —...
Water or moisture cannot enter the case of the Switch. Air flow is not restricted around the Switch or through the vents in the side of the Switch. 3Com recommends that you provide a minimum of 25 mm (1 in.) clearance.
Rack-mounting The air is as free from dust as possible. The unit is installed in a clean, air conditioned environment. No more than four Switch units are placed on top of one another, if the units are free-standing. The Switch is situated away from sources of conductive (electrical) dust, for example laser printers.
Switch units on top of each other, ensuring that the pads of the upper unit line up with the recesses of the lower unit. Creating an XRN Switch 4900 Series units and 3Com Switch 4050/4060 units can be Distributed Fabric interconnected to create an XRN Distributed Fabric and then treated as a single manageable unit with one IP address.
XRN Interconnect Modules are NOT hot-swappable or hot-insertable. Ensure that the Switch is powered off before inserting or removing an Interconnect Module. Only 3Com XRN Interconnect Cables can be used to connect two Interconnect Modules. It is not possible to interconnect the Switch 4900 Series and Switch 4050/4060 units with any other 3Com device.
For a detailed description of how XRN Technology operates and implementation guidelines, please refer to the Implementation Guide on the CD-ROM that accompanies your Switch or on the 3Com Web site. The Power-up The following sections describe how to get your Switch powered-up and Sequence ready for operation.
MDI port, you need to use a standard straight-through cable. See Table 3Com recommends that you use at least Category 5 twisted pair cable — the maximum segment length for this type of cable is 100 m (328 ft).
(MDIX to MDI) CAUTION: If you want to install the Switch using a Category 5E or Category 6 cable, 3Com recommends that you briefly connect the cable to a grounded port before connecting network equipment. If you do not, the cable’s Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) may damage the Switch's port.
3CGBIC91 GBIC (SX) 3CGBIC92 GBIC (LX) 3CGBIC97 GBIC (LH70) To access the latest list of approved GBIC transceivers for the Switch on the 3Com Corporation World Wide Web site, enter this URL into your internet browser: http://www.3com.com The URL is case sensitive.
Page 30
If the GBIC transceiver is faulty, it will not operate within the Switch. See “Solving Hardware Problems” page Do not use non-3Com GBICs. If the GBIC transceiver is invalid it will not be recognised by the Switch. Use the following sequence of steps to activate the GBIC ports.
Page 31
Switch 4950 — GBIC Operation 3 The transceiver connects to the network using a duplex SC connector. Attach a male duplex SC connector on the network cable into the duplex SC connector on the transceiver. 4 Connect the other end of the cable to a device fitted with an appropriate Gigabit Ethernet connection.
ETTING P FOR ANAGEMENT Your Switch can operate in its default state, that is, you can install it and it will work straight away (plug-and-play). However, to make full use of the features offered by the Switch, and to change and monitor the way it works, you have to access the management software that resides on the Switch.
How do you want to view the automatically How do you want to connect to the Switch? configured IP information? Connect to a front Connect to the console Use 3Com Network Connect to the console panel port and use the port and use the Supervisor (3NS).
(Static IP addresses are necessary to ensure that the Switch is always allocated the same IP information.) For most installations, 3Com recommends that you configure the Switch IP information manually. This makes management simpler and more reliable as it is not dependent on a DHCP or BootP server, and eliminates the risk of the IP address changing.
For detailed information about the specific web interface operations and command line interface commands and problem solving, refer to the “Management Interface Reference Guide” on the CD-ROM that is supplied with the Switch or on the 3Com Web site.
Manually Configuring IP Information Manually You can manually configure the Switch IP information in the following Configuring IP ways: Information Connecting to a front panel port — Connect a workstation using an Ethernet cable to a front panel port of the Switch. You can then manually enter IP information using the web interface or the command line interface (CLI).
Page 38
3: S HAPTER ETTING P FOR ANAGEMENT Connecting the Workstation to the Switch 1 Connect the workstation to a front panel port using an Ethernet cable as shown in Figure Figure 13 Connecting a workstation to the Switch via a front panel port To connect the cable: a Attach an RJ-45 connector at one end of the Ethernet cable to the Network Interface Card (NIC) in the workstation.
Page 39
Manually Configuring IP Information If there is no response, wait for one minute then re-enter the default IP address. 3 At the login and password prompts, enter admin as your user name and press Return at the password prompt (default user name and password). If you have logged on correctly, a set of Getting Started pages are displayed.
3: S HAPTER ETTING P FOR ANAGEMENT Figure 14 Example top-level command line interface menu 4 At the Select menu option prompt you can either: enter the protocol ip basicConfig command. At the Enter configuration method prompt enter manual. The screen prompts you to enter IP information.
Page 41
Manually Configuring IP Information Documentation supplied with the terminal emulation software. A suitable cable: A standard null modem cable — if you are connecting directly to the console port, or A standard modem cable — if you are connecting to the console port using a modem.
Page 42
3: S HAPTER ETTING P FOR ANAGEMENT no parity 1 stop bit no hardware flow control Refer to the documentation that accompanies the terminal emulation software for more information. Setting Up the Switch with IP Information You are now ready to manually set up the Switch with IP information using the command line interface.
IP information automatically assigned to the Switch using the command line interface (CLI). Using 3Com Network You can use the 3Com Network Supervisor application provided on the Supervisor CD-ROM that accompanies your Switch to discover the automatically allocated IP information.
P FOR ANAGEMENT If your network does not have a DHCP or BootP server, the workstation running 3Com Network Supervisor must be on the same subnet as the Switch, because Auto-IP addresses are non-routable. Connecting to the Alternatively, you can view the automatically configured IP information...
Page 45
Viewing Automatically Configured IP Information b Tighten the retaining screws on the cable to prevent it from being loosened. c Connect the other end of the cable to one of the serial ports (also known as a COM port) on your workstation. 2 Open your terminal emulation software and configure the COM port settings to which you have connected the cable.
3: S HAPTER ETTING P FOR ANAGEMENT Figure 18 Example top-level command line interface menu 4 At the Select menu option prompt enter the protocol ip interface summary command. At the Select IP interfaces prompt enter all. A summary of the automatically allocated IP information is displayed.
You can manage a Switch using any network management workstation running the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) as shown in Figure 22. For example, you can use the 3Com Network Supervisor software that is provided on the CD-ROM that accompanies your Switch.
3: S HAPTER ETTING P FOR ANAGEMENT Figure 22 SNMP management over the network Refer to “Setting Up SNMP Management” page Setting Up This section describes how you can set up command line interface Command Line management using a local console port connection or over the network. Interface Management CLI Management via...
Setting Up Web Interface Management >telnet xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx (where xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx is the IP address of the Switch) If opening a Telnet session via third party software you will need to enter the IP address in the format suitable for that software. 5 At the login and password prompts, enter admin as your user name and press Return at the password prompt (or the password of your choice if you have already modified the default passwords).
3: S HAPTER ETTING P FOR ANAGEMENT For the browser to operate the web interface correctly, JavaScript and Cascading Style Sheets must be enabled on your browser. These features are enabled on a browser by default. You will only need to enable them if you have changed your browser settings.
VLAN 1 (the Default VLAN). By default, all ports on the Switch are in VLAN 1. You can use the 3Com Network Supervisor application that is provided on the CD-ROM that accompanies your Switch to provide SNMP management for your Switch. If you use 3Com Network Supervisor it automatically loads the correct MIBs and necessary files onto your workstation.
3: S HAPTER ETTING P FOR ANAGEMENT Table 9 Default Users User Default Name Password Access Level monitor monitor monitor — the user can view all manageable parameters, except special/security features, but cannot change any manageable parameters. manager manager manager — the user can access and change the operational parameters but not special/security features admin security —...
ROBLEM OLVING This chapter helps you to diagnose and solve problems you may have with the operation of your Switch. There is also an explanation of IP addressing. The topics covered are: Solving Problems Indicated by LEDs Solving Hardware Problems Solving Communication Problems Solving Software Upgrade Problems If you experience a problem that is not listed here, it may be included in...
4: P HAPTER ROBLEM OLVING Solving Problems If the LEDs on the Switch indicate a problem, refer to the list of suggested Indicated by LEDs solutions below. The Power LED does not light Check that the power cable is firmly connected to the Switch and to the supply outlet.
Solving Hardware Problems Solving Hardware In the rare event of your Switch unit experiencing a hardware failure, Problems refer to the list of suggested solutions below. An expansion module is installed and the unit will not power up Ensure that the expansion module is fully seated in the slot and the connectors are engaged so that the securing screws can be tightened.
Page 56
The Switch has identified that the GBIC does not meet the minimum requirements for the Switch and has disabled the port. To correct this problem, completely remove the GBIC and replace it with a 3Com approved GBIC. See “Approved GBIC Transceivers”on...
IP address of the router. The Switch’s IP address has been entered correctly in your network management application (for example 3Com Network Supervisor). The following is an brief overview of IP addressing, and how to obtain a registered IP address.
If your IP network is internal to your organization only, that is, you do not access the Internet, you may use any arbitrary IP address as long as it is not being used by another device on your network. 3Com suggests you use addresses in the series 192.160.100.X (where X is a number between 1 and 254) with a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0.
AFETY NFORMATION You must read the following safety information before carrying out any installation or removal of components, or any maintenance procedures on the Switch 4900, 4900 SX, 4924, or 4950. WARNING: Warnings contain directions that you must follow for your personal safety.
A: S PPENDIX AFETY NFORMATION Important Safety Information WARNING: Installation and removal of the unit must be carried out by qualified personnel only. WARNING: If installing the Switch in a stack with SuperStack 3 units that are narrower than the Switch, the Switch unit must be installed below the narrower units.
Page 61
Important Safety Information WARNING: The socket outlet must be near to the unit and easily accessible. You can only remove power from the unit by disconnecting the power cord from the outlet. WARNING: This unit operates under SELV (Safety Extra Low Voltage) conditions according to IEC 60950.
Page 62
WARNING: Use of controls or adjustments of performance or procedures other than those specified herein may result in hazardous laser emissions. WARNING: The Switch must only be fitted with 3Com approved GBIC transceivers, as listed below. 3CGBIC91 GBIC (SX)
L’information de Sécurité Importante L’information de Sécurité Importante AVERTISSEMENT: L'installation et la dépose de ce groupe doivent être confiés à un personnel qualifié. AVERTISSEMENT: Si vous entassez l'unité Switch avec les unités SuperStack 3 Hub, l'unité Switch doit être installée en dessous des unités Hub plus étroites.
Page 64
A: S PPENDIX AFETY NFORMATION AVERTISSEMENT: La prise secteur doit se trouver à proximité de l’appareil et son accès doit être facile. Vous ne pouvez mettre l’appareil hors circuit qu'en débranchant son cordon électrique au niveau de cette prise. AVERTISSEMENT: L’appareil fonctionne à une tension extrêmement basse de sécurité...
Page 65
à des rayonnements laser dangereux. AVERTISSEMENT: Le commutateur ne doit être utilisé qu'avec des modules Transceiver GBIC approuvés par 3Com. 3CGBIC91 GBIC (SX) 3CGBIC92 GBIC (LX) 3CGBIC97 GBIC (LH70)
A: S PPENDIX AFETY NFORMATION Wichtige Sicherheitsinformationen VORSICHT: Die Installation und der Ausbau des Geräts darf nur durch Fachpersonal erfolgen. VORSICHT: Wenn die Switch Einheit in einer Stapel mit anderen SuperStack 3 Hub Einheiten eingebaut werden soll, muß die Switch Einheit unter die schmaleren Hub Einheiten eingebaut werden.
Page 67
Leistungen und Verfahren in anderer als der hierin genannten Weise kann zu gefährlichen Laseremissionen führen. VORSICHT: Der Switch sollte nur mit von der Firma 3Com zugelassenen GBIC Tranceivermodulen, wie unten augefuehrt, bestueckt werden. 3CGBIC91 GBIC (SX) 3CGBIC92 GBIC (LX)
B: P PPENDIX OUTS Modem Cable 9-pin to RS-232 25-pin RJ-45 Pin Pin assignments are identical for 10/100BASE-T and 1000BASE-T RJ-45 Assignments connectors. Table 10 Pin assignments Pin Number 10/100BASE-T 1000BASE-T Ports configured as MDI Transmit Data + Bidirectional Data A+ Transmit Data - Bidirectional Data A- Receive Data +...
Page 71
RJ-45 Pin Assignments Table 11 Pin assignments Pin Number 10/100BASE-T 1000BASE-T Ports configured as MDIX Receive Data + Bidirectional Data B+ Receive Data - Bidirectional Data B- Transmit Data + Bidirectional Data A+ Not assigned Bidirectional Data D+ Not assigned Bidirectional Data D- Transmit Data - Bidirectional Data A-...
–10 ° to +70 °C (14 ° to 158 °F) Operating Humidity 10–95% relative humidity, non-condensing Standards EN60068 to 3Com schedule (Package testing: paras 2.1, 2.2, 2.30, and 2.32. Operational testing: paras 2.1, 2.2, 2.30 and 2.13). Safety Agency Certifications UL 1950 / UL60950, EN60950, CSA 22.2 No.
Page 74
C: T PPENDIX ECHNICAL PECIFICATIONS Switch 4900: Heat Dissipation 1050 BTU/hour maximum Switch 4900 SX: 560 BTU/hour maximum Switch 4924: 870 BTU/hour maximum Switch 4950: 685 BTU/hour maximum Power Supply AC Line Frequency 50/60 Hz Input Voltage Options 90–240 VAC Switch 4900: Current Rating 4 A (amps) (maximum)
Knowledgebase is updated daily with technical information discovered by 3Com technical support engineers. This complimentary service, which is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to 3Com customers and partners, is located on the 3Com Corporation World Wide Web site at:...
3Com FTP Site Download drivers, patches, software, and MIBs across the Internet from the 3Com public FTP site. This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. To connect to the 3Com FTP site, enter the following information into...
Support from 3Com Support from 3Com If you are unable to obtain assistance from the 3Com online technical resources or from your network supplier, 3Com offers email and telephone technical support services. To find out more about your support options, email or call the 3Com technical support services at the location nearest you.
Page 78
D: T PPENDIX ECHNICAL UPPORT Here is a list of worldwide technical telephone support numbers. These numbers are correct at the time of publication. Refer to the 3Com Web site for updated information. Country Telephone Number Country Telephone Number Asia, Pacific Rim...
Returning Products for Repair Returning Products Before you send a product directly to 3Com for repair, you must first for Repair obtain an authorization number. Products sent to 3Com without authorization numbers will be returned to the sender unopened, at the sender’s expense.
Page 80
Country Telephone Number Latin America Antigua 1 800 988 2112 Guatemala AT&T +800 998 2112 Argentina 0 810 444 3COM Haiti 57 1 657 0888 Aruba 1 800 998 2112 Honduras AT&T +800 998 2112 Bahamas 1 800 998 2112...
NDEX Numbers 3C number 19 GBIC 3Com Knowledgebase Web Services 75 ports 16 3Com URL 75 hardware features 13 access levels of default users 51 approved GBIC transceivers 29 automatic setup 43 installing the Switch 21 3Com Network Supervisor 43...
Page 82
19 powering-up a Switch 26 problem solving 53 communication problems 57 technical support hardware problems 55 3Com Knowledgebase Web Services 75 IP addressing 55 3Com URL 75 LEDs 54 network suppliers 76 product name 19 product repair 79...
Page 83
Warning: This is a class A product. In a domestic environment this product may cause radio interference in which case the user may be required to take adequate measures. You must only insert a 3Com approved GBIC transceiver into the Switch. These are listed in the “Approved GBIC Transceivers” section of the Getting Started Guide.