Does anyone have knowledge of Configuring a Switch?

[wisdomwarrior23]

I posted several questions about configuring a switch which I know is not that complex, although I don't know all the steps involved. I have a 3Com linkswitch 1000 16 port and one MDIX port.

My setup is at home with three computers running different OSes. Basically I want to put the 3COm switch in place of the hub I currently use.

If someone can provide step by step instructions on just what I need to do and how to do it, that would be greatly appreciated.

 

[AlexIT]

Plug "server" computer into Port #1, plug next computer into Port#2, plug last computer into Port#3. Apply power to switch, turn on each computer. If computers use same IP range and correct sub mask, then no difference between switch and hub as it will automatically apply correct IP address to port that computer is connected to (based on MAC address of NIC.) If you have trouble, while still powered, press reset button on back of switch 1000 as this will cause it to clear the IP map.
The Switch1000 has all 10base speed ports, with the MDIX port being the only one capable of 100base speed. If two computers access the "server" at the same time and you want a little extra speed (ns faster), then plug the "server" into the MDIX port instead of port #1.

What steps did you need?

Alex

 

[wisdomwarrior23]

Thanks for your response Alex, Ok, so I have everything setup that way right now. But I got the switch used, and its probably using a different subnet mask and IP range than I am. I didn't understand that it must be configured with a subnet mask and all that. I'll check for the reset button, which I should have, and reset the box and see if it grabs the correct subnet mask and IP range from my machines which are plugged into it. If the switch doesn't fiind the correct subnet mask and IP range what must be done to configured it for use. Also I have a DSL connection should I plug the DSL cable into the MDIX port for better speed or should I just plug it into one of the other 16 ports on the switch. Thanks for your help again buddy!

 

[AlexIT]

The switch itself will need to be manually set for your network IP and subnet. If you know its current address you can telnet to it and make the change. If not, you need to connect to the serial port on the back using a terminal emulation software (Hyperterm) and change the IP address that way.

The reset button only flushes the cache of IP addresses it thinks are attached to its ports. A switch is different from a hub in that when one computer broadcasts at a hub, the IP packet goes to all the ports, and one computer (that was supposed to get the info) broadcasts back (which goes to all the ports again.) This is very bad for security, and wastes each computer's time as they must decide if each broadcast is for them. A switch knows what the IP address is attached to each port, so when a computer broadcasts at the switch, it automatically sends the packet only to the computer that was supposed to get this.

Do NOT plug the DSL modem into your switch (or hub) as that is designed for a single "host" connection. You will need a router to share the DSL, or you need to have 2 network cards in one of your PC's and use some Internet Connection Sharing software so that the rest of the PC's can access the internet.

Jump over to the 3com web site and check out a getting started guide for your Switch1000. It gives pretty good details about how this thing works, and why you are supposed to spend the extra $$ for a switch. (Our entire network is composed of switches, not one hub.)

Alex

 

[wisdomwarrior23]

Hey Alex that was exactly what I needed to know, I reset the switch and plugged all my cables in from each machine. I did try to plug in the DSL modem into the switch although it didn't work, so there really isn't any type of uplink port on a switch as opposed to a hub. I didn't see one, so what is your suggestion for the best method for all my machines to access the internet, in terms of speed, and throughput. Should I get a router, if so what kind of router, I have access to an Ascend Pipeline Router, could I use that? It has a 10BT port, and a WAN port also a Terminal and AUI port on the back of it.

Thanks a million.

 

[AlexIT]

With an always on connection you don't care so much about throughput speed (10Mb lan is plenty for 768kb DSL right?), its security that should be number one (I got hacked on my test Win2K server via the DSL cause of poor lockdown in the default install.) An Ascend Pipeline Router is for ISDN connections (WAN is BRI port for ISDN, unless they got new ones for DSL too I don't know about) so that won't work. Spend 100USD and get a SOHO router. I use an SMC Barricade at home, but any Linksys, DLINK, Netgear etc. would be fine for three PCs, watch out, max for some of those above routers is 3-5 users. If you get a router, most have built-in 3 port 10/100 switch, so throw the complicated Switch1000 away and use the easy-to-config Web-access one in your new router. Just turn on the DHCP in the router and let it give out address and gateway, DNS etc. to your PCs.

Alex