Installing a swtich

[fapbuh]

We've just gotten a new 24-port 10/100M + gigabit "smart switch". And My question is, how do I install it? Do I just yank out(figurativly of course) all the cat-5e cables and plug them into the new switch? And, Do I have to configure all the systems on our network to reconginize the new switch?

Other than the make of the swtich ( Hawking Tech GS224S) and the number of stations (around 20), it's not conected to the internet in anyway (eventually we need it to). I dont know much more about it.

Any and all suggestions are welcome.

[John Prophet]

when you say "yank out" what do you mean..what was ther ebefore? a hub? or another switch??

Basically...yes, just yank em out and go intot he new switch.

should be no configuring unless perhaps it is a "managed" switch where you can do stuff like "trunking" (I think thats right term) and "vlan" grouping stuff.

If its just going to function as a switch you just plug the stuff in and it does the rest

there is no configuring of anything on the systems themselves...the switch will do all that etc..it will find all the mac adresses etc and it will then educate itself on where to send what....that is why a switch is smarter and faster than a hub...a switch keeps the info on different comps from "colliding" cuz it only sends stuff out to the specific port where it needs to go..so it doesnt mess with stuff coming and going on other ports....a dumb ol hub just sends everythign back out on every port, lol.

[Agent_Embryo]

It depends. Since it's a "smart switch" you probably want to configure its options if it has any first, like what IP the switch should have etc. You could do that via a browser or via a special port on the switch if there is one. It could work out of the box too. The computers don't need to recognize the switch.

Good Luck.

[rusty4x4]

When you are ready to get on to the internet, read about the wonderful devices known as routers. Read here:

http://www.practicallynetworked.com/...bkgrounder.htm