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I'm confused about my switch. I bought it used so I only have the switch itself, no manuals. I've searched for documentation online and some sources say it's a "managed" switch while others don't state that but also don't say "unmanaged".

  1. Is this particular product a "managed" one or not?
  2. If it's managed, what does that mean, and how do I then "manage" it?
Torben Gundtofte-Bruun
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    Does it have a serial port? most switches capable of management are managed through a console connection (via apps like putty or hyperterminal). Some you will use a cat5/6 cable, sometimes with specialized wiring to connect. – MaQleod Feb 18 '14 at 21:38
  • It's not a managed switch. – joeqwerty Feb 18 '14 at 21:39
  • @MaQleod no serial port, but it does have 2 "mini-GBIC slots" (whatever that is) :-) – Torben Gundtofte-Bruun Feb 18 '14 at 21:41
  • mini-gbic are fiber optic modules for higher speed connections, usually to server hardware (storage, vm server, etc). – MaQleod Feb 18 '14 at 21:44

1 Answers1

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According to this HP Document, the switches in the 1400 series are unmanaged.

From the PDF:

The ProCurve Switch 1400 series provides plug-and-play simplicity for high-bandwidth connectivity. The Switch 1400 series consists of two unmanaged switches. The ProCurve Switch 1400-24G is a 24-port 10/100/1000 switch with 22 10/100/1000 ports and 2 dual-personality ports. The ProCurve Switch 1400-8G is a small-form-factor switch with 8 10/100/1000 ports. Ideal for deployment in open spaces, both switches feature silent operation via a fanless design.

And since you mentioned you didn't have a manual...

Managed vs. Unmanaged?

A managed switch allows you to prioritize connections you as you see fit, giving you the ability to make sure critical network functions take priority.

Here's a great podcast transcript by Cisco on this topic.

Michael Frank
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