Column | Explanation |
Port | The number of the switch port, including port type (such as Fa for Fast Ethernet and Gi for Gigabit Ethernet) and the port number. |
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 for 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 check 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 for a port to disable the feature on the port. |
PoE | Whether Power over Ethernet (PoE) will be supplied to a connected device. Choose auto or never from the drop-down list. Note: This setting is available only on PoE ports. |