3com 3CDSG8 User Guide
12
Getting
Started
Note: The switch’s default IP address is listed on a label located on the
underside of the switch.
underside of the switch.
If you use automatic IP configuration it is important that the IP address of the switch is static,
otherwise the DHCP server can change the switch’s IP addresses and it will be difficult to
manage. Most DHCP servers allow static IP addresses to be configured so that you know what IP
address will be allocated to the switch. Refer to the documentation that accompanies your
DHCP server.
You should use the automatic IP configuration method if:
• your network uses DHCP to allocate IP information, or
• flexibility is needed. If the switch is deployed onto a different subnet, it will automatically
• flexibility is needed. If the switch is deployed onto a different subnet, it will automatically
reconfigure itself with an appropriate IP address, instead of you having to manually
reconfigure the switch.
reconfigure the switch.
If you use the automatic IP configuration method, you need to discover the automatically
allocated IP information before you can begin management. Work through the “IP Setup”
Section on page 81.
Manual IP Configuration
When you configure the IP information manually, the switch remembers the information that
you enter until you change it again.
You should use the Manual IP configuration method if:
• You do not have a DHCP server on your network, or
• You want to remove the risk of the IP address ever changing, or
• Your DHCP server does not allow you to allocate static IP addresses. (Static IP addresses
• You want to remove the risk of the IP address ever changing, or
• Your DHCP server does not allow you to allocate static IP addresses. (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 server, and eliminates the risk of the IP address
changing.
information manually. This makes management simpler and more reliable as it is
not dependent on a DHCP server, and eliminates the risk of the IP address
changing.
To manually enter IP information for your switch, work through the “IP Setup” on page 81.
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Using The Command Line Interface (CLI)
You can access the switch through the Console port to manually set the IP address, or to view
the IP address that was assigned automatically (for example, by a DHCP server).
the IP address that was assigned automatically (for example, by a DHCP server).
For more information about the CLI, refer to “3Com CLI Reference Guide” on page 77.
Connecting to the Console Port
This section describes how to connect to your switch through the Console port.
Prerequisites