3 A BOUT S WITCH M ANAGEMENTThe OfficeConnect Switch 140M is a manageableproduct. Management is not required to get yourswitch working, but it does allow you to change theway it works and to monitor what is happening toyour network. This chapter has information on:n What you can use to manage your switchn The management tasks you can performn How you can make a management connection toyour switchThis guide uses the term management station torefer to the piece of equipment you are using tomanage your switch (for example, a computer).Why Manage Your Switch?With management, you can change and view the wayyour switch and network operate:n Graphically display network information to showyou how traffic is being passed around thenetwork.n Customize the switching functionality to suit yournetwork configuration and operation, to ensurepeak network performance.n Display a graphical representation of the switch toquickly view the status of each port.n Display general unit information.n Configure the Alert LED to provide a simple visualindication of network problems or events.n Enable and disable ports.n Configure security for the switch — changingpasswords for the management user levels.n Poll a remote device to see if it is operational.n Upgrade the switch with a software upgrade.
