

Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server is used to automatically assign IP addresses, subnet masks, default gateway and DNS (Domain Name System) server information to devices on the network. Some of the more popular protocols are:- Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) is a protocol for monitoring, collecting information and configuring a variety of network devices.

The different protocols available will vary between manufacturers and models of switch. Many manufacturers will also provide a configuration adapterwhich can be used to store switch configuration data which enables a managed switch to be easily commissioned and quickly replaced in the event of switch failure. Connection status can be monitored and statistical data can be recorded and stored for later analysis if required. Using a managed switch will allow configuration of each port including setting port bandwidth and how the data travels over the LAN, Create and modify Virtual LAN’s (VLAN) and control who has access to the network. There are many methods of configuring managed (and lite) switches including but not limited to command-line interface (CLI), telnet, serial console and web interface. Industrial Ethernet switches (both managed and unmanaged) may also be ruggedized to cope with harsh conditions which may include vibration, Heat, Cold, EMI (Electromagnetic Interference) and with various levels of waterproofing and or conformal coating. Like unmanaged switches managed switches come in a variety of forms including Rack Mount, Wall mount, Din Rail mount, Embedded and desktop. Layer 3 switch - Uses both MAC and IP addresses to communicate with the rest of the network Layer 2 switch - Forwards data based on the MAC address of connected device Layer 1 switch (Hub) - All data coming in is routed to all ports except to the originating port The other option to a fully managed switch is a lite or smart managed switch where the majority of configuration parameters are pre - configured leaving the user to configure the switch without the need of any specialist IT skills. A managed switch will require a network engineer to commission and maintain the network as opposed to an unmanaged switchwhich usually has no user interface or options and are pretty much plug and play. Managed Ethernet SwitchesĪ managed switch has its own IP address and allows you to have full control of your local area network (LAN) and the traffic moving through it. The switch learns which port certain equipment is using and passes along the data only to the ports that need to receive it. It is selective about where it passes data. As a hub doesn’t use management or addressing, it simply divides the bandwidth among users Unmanaged Ethernet SwitchesĪ switch, on the other hand, is more intelligent. All data coming into the hub travels to all ports.
