Numpty question or two ... 1

[Martin999]

Hi guys,

Sorry to be a pain, very new to networking and browsing the posts here for background knowledge ... Due to changes at work, swapping to networks seemed a good way to ensure a position, + new experience.

Couple of things I'm not completly understanding, pls. don't fall off your chairs laughing, you might hurt yourselves )

I see you can allocate an ip address to a port - is this for security, so that only that one device (say a pc) with a static address can 'use' that port ?

You can also configure an ip for a vlan, I'm not clear on why, or how this is of use.

On the plus side, I'm making an effort to learn, just assembeled a 6513 (and it worked), and am playing with a smaller 24 port jobbie (sorry, can't remmember model) sat on my desk, trying to get used to some commands etc ... Did a couple of cisco courses, but a while back so a little rusty (ok, seized solid would perhaps be more accurate).

Many thanks,

Martin

 

[chipk]

Short answer to your questions:

Assigning an IP to a switch port makes that port layer 3 accessible, meaning you'll be connecting a router, or another layer 3 capable device to it, and yes, this will become a sort of "private" network between those two devices, and until you tell it otherwise (with routing) no traffic will go over that link except the traffic between the two devices that are directly connected.

VLANs are used for network segmentation and security. They decrease broadcast traffic allow you to create security boundaries within your network with access lists, etc. Though that's no replacement for firewalls and other security appliances.

That's a rather short and incomplete answer. It will take a lot of reading and practice to understand everything those features do for you. You can read a lot on Cisco's web site:

http://www.cisco.com/warp/public/614/11.html

(vlans)

http://www.cisco.com/warp/public/701/3.html

(IPs and subnetting)

Cisco also has a CCNA learning resource web site that has tutorials and such on vlans, ip addressing, routing, switching, etc.

http://forums.cisco.com/eforum/servlet/PrepCenter?page=main

(free registration required).

 

[Martin999]

Wow thanks, I will take a look at those links shortly.

Your right in it'll take a lot of reading - kinda don't know where to start ...

Martin