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What does a Smart Switch do?
A Smart Switch has capabilities that lie between unmanaged and managed switches. It offers Manageability, typically using a Web Interface. They also allow performance monitoring (port activity), have the ability to configure network trunks (bandwidth control) and support port mirroring. Courier Smart Switches also support Quality of Service (QoS), or the ability to prioritize traffic for “delay sensitive” applications like Voiceover Internet Protocol (VoIP) and streaming video. And, it offers Flexibile Security by support of VLANs.
Courier Smart Switch Capabilities
The Smart Switch uses a simple web-based configuration while offering an additional configuration utility (Windows 2000/XP) for firmware upgrades, password changes, IP addressing parameters and switch monitoring. The Courier Gigabit Smart Switches have two (16-port and 24-port versions) or four (48-port version) Gigabit Interface Converter (GBIC) ports, while the Courier PoE Smart Switch has 24 10/100 powered ports and two Gigabit non-powered ports.
Additionally, the Courier Smart Switch line has a standard 1U 19-inch rack-mount case, and includes a mounting kit. It also includes full and half duplex operation, as well as auto-speed detection and auto-switching.
Security: Port-Based VLANs
The Smart Switch allows users to assign VLANs* for a layer of network security. Client computers can share network resources, BUT cannot access computers on different VLANs. This allows computers with sensitive data to share a network with standard users without the need for additional physical wiring. Further, computers can be moved freely, again without the need to physically rewire.
Security: Combined Wired & Wireless VLANs
VLAN tagging is packet based and each port has an option of routing multiple tagged packets (up to 12 VLANs). Devices such as USR5453A (USRobotics Professional Access Point) are able to accept four VLANs simultaneously. And, with the 5453, each VLAN can have a different Service Set Identifier (SSID) with specific security settings.
Management Console
The management console allows for port configuration, speed, flow control and quality of service. As it pertains to speed, users can automatically or manually configure the rate at which the port transmits, while the manual control avoids “Duplex Mismatches” when hard-coded with a duplex setting.
Quality Of Service (QoS)
QoS enables the prioritization of bandwidth to selected ports, with port-based priorities of Normal and High. This is especially important for delay-sensitive applications, such as VoIP and streaming media.
Scalability
Trunking allows the switches to connect together, thereby extending the physical reach of a network and adding capacity without disrupting the current configuration. Trunking ports are assigned on both switches, which are then dedicated so the VLAN’s remain secure. From there, they are able to effectively communicate.
Managing Network Quality
Port mirroring allows packets to be copied from one port on the switch to another for inspection. The test equipment can be configured to send incoming packets, outgoing packets or both to a “sniffer” port for inspection.
Power over Ethernet (PoE) Smart Switch
The PoE Smart Switch provides electrical power to 802.3af-enabled devices over existing Ethernet cable. It supports variable power settings on 24 10/100 Ethernet ports of up to 15.4W (maximum total 170W). High priority devices, like IP phones will stay powered in case of unexpected power drains, and if the switch is overloaded, it will automatically cut power to devices, based on their priority.
* VLANs are currently only available on USR997748 48 Port Smart Switch.
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