User's Manual

User’s Manual of GS-6320 and MGS-6320 Managed Switches
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3.2 Management Access Overview
The Managed Switch gives you the flexibility to access and manage it using any or all of the following methods:
 An administration console
 Web browser interface
 An external SNMP-based network management application
The administration console and Web browser interface support are embedded in the Managed Switch software and are
available for immediate use. Each of these management methods has their own advantages. Table 3-1 compares the three
management methods.
Method Advantages Disadvantages
Console
• No IP address or subnet needed
• Text-based
• Telnet functionality and HyperTerminal
built into Windows
95/98/NT/2000/ME/XP operating
systems
• Secure
• Must be near the switch or use dial-up
connection
• Not convenient for remote users
• Modem connection may prove to be unreliable
or slow
Web Browser
• Ideal for configuring the switch remotely
• Compatible with all popular browsers
• Can be accessed from any location
• Most visually appealing
• Security can be compromised (hackers need
only know the IP address and subnet mask)
• May encounter lag times on poor connections
SNMP Agent
• Communicates with switch functions at
the MIB level
• Based on open standards
• Requires SNMP manager software
• Least visually appealing of all three methods
• Some settings require calculations
• Security can be compromised (hackers need
only know the community name)
Table 3-1: Comparison of Management Methods