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Questions tagged [switch]

a device that bridges network segments, operating at the OSI link layer level.

Switches (in the context of this site) are devices with multiple network ports, which allow interaction between all devices connected to these ports.

Basic switches operate at the data link layer level (in TCP/IP networks) and forward packets based on the link layer address in the packet headers. They are different to hubs in the way that hubs generally broadcast incoming packets to all other ports, whereas switches keep tables of link layer addresses they have seen at specific ports and only forward packets to the relevant ports. Basic switches are also known as layer 2 devices.

Higher grade switches can include functionality at higher layers of the OSI stack. This can range from IGMP snooping (for multicast support) and VLANs through to NAT, VPN, firewalls or even application layer functionality (web caching or proxying). Such switches are known as multilayer devices.

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Prevent administrative users from assigning duplicate static IPs to their workstations

How can I prevent a user that is an administrator on their local machine from manually assigning an IP to their network adapter that is in use on a server? Some users have done this, and it's caused duplicate IP issues that have taken nodes in…
despe
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Identify machines connected to switch

Our company recently closed down half our office space, which was not being used. We gave back the unused space to the building management and had it walled off. Prior to us closing it off, I jotted down the network jack #'s on the side to be closed…
Citizen Chin
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Why is CAT rating not applied to switches?

I see patch panels all come rated as CAT5e, or CAT6 (and so on). I understand the difference between CAT5e and CAT6 cables, more stringent interference shielding, etc. What I don't understand is why switches aren't rated as CAT5e or CAT6? Instead,…
Slav
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Link bonding across multiple switches?

I've read up a little bit on bonding nics with ifenslave; what I'm having trouble understanding is whether there is special configuration needed in order to split the bonds across two switches. For example, if I have several servers that all have…
Bryan Agee
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Access ports versus trunk ports?

Can someone please explain the difference between access ports and trunk ports on a switch? I'm starting to learn networking, and my understanding is that access ports are used to connect endpoints (e.g. computers and printers) to the switch and…
BJ Dela Cruz
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Do multiple network connections between switches increase bandwidth?

Say I have 2 identical unmanaged gigabit switches on a network, A and B. There are computers connected to switch A, there are other computers connected to switch B. A and B are connected via 1 cable. So, the total (theoretical) bandwidth…
user13328
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Small Business Network Switches/General network configuration

We just had one of our many 5-port network switches die on us and it took over a day to figure out what was causing our network problems. So now I have $200 to "fix" our network. Our goal is a network that is less of a hassle to administer and that…
David Murdoch
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Best way to connect multiple switches together

We currently have five 24 port 3com unmanaged switches. Four of them are 100Mb switches with no gigabit port (MDI Uplink port is 100Mb). The fifth is a full gigabit switch which we use for all of our servers. They are daisy chained together at…
Beep beep
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Do Araknis switches support IPv6?

In an otherwise fully IPv6 enabled network, can devices put behind Araknis switches use IPv6? I can't find any mention of IPv6 here: https://www.snapav.com/shop/en/snapav/araknis-switches Araknis's only current router does support IPv6 (see Specs):…
Alexander Taylor
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What do switches do to tagged and untagged VLAN packets?

Let's say we have a 4-port switch that is VLAN capable. 1 2 3 4 Port 1 is TAGGED to VLAN10` and `UNTAGGED to Default_VLAN(1) Port 2 is UNTAGGED to VLAN10 Port 3 is UNTAGGED to VLAN10 For the sake of this question, we have a…
PnP
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Does a single LACP channel over multiple switches increase redundancy?

I am curious for opinions, findings, or evidence that having multiple interfaces bonded using LACP to ports in multiple switches can increase redundancy. Previously bonded interfaces have always been to a single switch, with a redundant channel to…
Sirch
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Is it possible for a gigabit switch to be PoE-powered?

I'm in need of a gigabit switch that can be powered via PoE, rather than AC power. There isn't any AC power in the area where it needs to be installed. Is this possible?
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What is the disadvantage to cascading multiple switches?

I have to wire a new office for ethernet and the contractors want to charge atrocious amounts for each line running to each room in the office. It will be much cheaper for me to run a single line to each room and have a switch in each room, so each…
nganju
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Can switches do VLAN routing?

I have been learning about VLANs and I am wondering if switch can be used for communication between two VLANs. Since switches support trunk links and already know the destination/source (VID) of the frame could they be used to send the frame from…
Kosta S.
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Connect to switch's console port through ethernet patch panel

In our office building, we have a Cisco SRW2048 switch. On the back, it has a serial port for console connections. I would like to connect this console port to my computer in my room. The switch is located in the network room next to the ethernet…
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