Port Settings

Use the Port Settings window to make sure that the basic port settings are compatible with the devices to be connected. These settings determine how data is received and sent between the switch and the attached device. You can change these settings to fit your network needs and to troubleshoot network problems.

Tips on Using this Window:

  • Click the column headings to sort information.
  • Click Submit to save your changes.
  • Click Cancel to discard unsaved changes.

Basic Port Settings

Column Explanation
Port

The number of the switch port, including port type (such as Fa for Fast Ethernet and Gi for Gigabit Ethernet), the base switch or the switch expansion module number (1, 2, or 3), and the specific port number. For example:

  • Fa1/1 is Fast Ethernet port 1 on the base switch.
  • Fa2/1 is Fast Ethernet port 1 on the the first switch expansion module.
  • Fa3/1 is Fast Ethernet port 1 on the the second switch expansion module.
Description

The description of the switch port. The limit is 18 characters.

We recommend providing a port description to help identify the port during monitoring and troubleshooting. The description can be the location of the connected device or the name of the person using the connected device.

Enable

The state of the switch port. The default is Enable.

Uncheck the check box of a port to administratively (manually) shut down the port.

We recommend disabling the port if the port is not in use and is not attached to a device.

An example of when to change this setting is during troubleshooting. You can troubleshoot a suspected unauthorized connection by administratively disabling the port.

Speed

The operating speed of the switch port. Choose the speed from the drop-down list. You can choose Auto (autonegotiation) if the connected device can negotiate the link speed with the switch port. The default is Auto.

An example of when to change this setting is during troubleshooting. If you are troubleshooting a connectivity problem, you can change this setting to see if the switch port and connected device have a speed mismatch.

Duplex

The duplex mode of the switch port. Choose the duplex mode from the drop-down list:

  • Auto (autonegotiation) if the connected device can negotiate with the switch
  • Full (full duplex) if both devices can send data at the same time
  • Half (half duplex) if one or both devices cannot send data at the same time

The default is Auto.

Note: On Gigabit Ethernet ports only, you cannot set the port to half duplex if the port speed is set to Auto.

An example of when to change this setting is during troubleshooting. If you are troubleshooting a connectivity problem, you can change this setting to verify if the switch port and connected device have a duplex mismatch.

Auto-MDIX

Whether the automatic medium-dependent interface crossover (auto-MDIX) feature will automatically detect the required cable connection type (straight-through or crossover) and configure the connection appropriately. The default is Enable.

Uncheck the check box of a port to disable the feature on the port.

Media Type

The active port type (either the RJ-45 port or the SFP module port) of a dual-purpose uplink port.

By default, the switch detects whether the RJ-45 port or SFP module port of a dual-purpose port is connected and uses the port accordingly. Only one port can be active at a time. If both ports are connected, the SFP module port has priority. You cannot change the priority setting.

Choose from the drop-down list:

  • SFP if the SFP module port should be active. If you select this option, the speed and duplex display the current settings, and auto-MDIX displays N/A.
  • RJ45 if the RJ-45 port should be active. If you select this option, you can set the port speed, duplex, and auto-mdix values.
  • Auto (autonegotiation) if either port can be active. If you select this option, the speed and duplex is set to auto and auto-MDIX displays N/A.

The default is Auto.

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