KB.15.15

10.1.131.51 is alive, time = 15 ms

Switch 41# ping 10.255.255.42 Ping switch in adjacent rack.

The destination address is unreachable. Oops! It’s on the management network.

Switch 41# ping source oobm 10.255.255.42 Go through the management port

10.255.255.42 is alive, time = 2 ms and it works fine.

Switch 41#

Concepts

Management communications with a managed switch can be:

• In band—through the networked data ports of the switch

• Out of band—through a dedicated management port (or ports) separate from the data ports

Out-of-band ports have typically been serial console ports using DB-9 or specially wired 8-pin

modular (RJ-style) connectors. Some recent HP switches have added networked OOBM ports.

Figure 280 (page 511) shows management connections for a typical switch.

Figure 280 Management ports

OOBM operates on a "management plane" that is separate from the "data plane" used by data

traffic on the switch and by in-band management traffic. That separation means that OOBM can

continue to function even during periods of traffic congestion, equipment malfunction, or attacks

on the network. In addition, it can provide improved switch security: a properly configured switch

can limit management access to the management port only, preventing malicious attempts to gain

access via the data ports.

Network OOBM typically occurs on a management network that connects multiple switches. It has

the added advantage that it can be done from a central location and does not require an individual

physical cable from the management station to each switch's console port.

Of the switches covered by this manual, network OOBM is available on:

• HP Switch 6600-24XG switch (J9265A)

• HP Switch 6600-48G switch (J9451A)

• HP Switch 6600-48G-4XG switch (J9452A)

Table 34 (page 512) summarizes the switch management ports.

Concepts 511