Management and Configuration Guide K/KA/KB.15.15

Table 34 Switch management ports
Out of bandIn band
NetworkedDirectly connectedNetworked
Command line (CLI), menuCommand line (CLI), menuCommand line (CLI), menu,
Web
Management interface
Management planeManagement planeData planeCommunication plane
Dedicated networked
management port
Dedicated serial or USB
console port
Any data portConnection port
RJ-45DB9 serial, serial-wired 8-pin
RJ
Usually RJ-45; also CX4,
SFP, SFP+, and XFP
Connector type
Not affected by events on
data network, allows
Not affected by events on
data network, shows boot
sequence
Allows centralized
management
Advantages
centralized management,
allows improved security
Does not show boot
sequence
Requires direct connection
to console port (can be done
Can be affected by events
on data network; does not
show boot sequence
Disadvantages
via networked terminal
server)
Example
In a typical data center installation, top-of-rack switches connect servers to the data network, while
the management ports of those switches connect to a physically and logically separate management
network. This allows network administrators to manage the switches even if operation on the data
network is disrupted.
In Figure 281 (page 512), the switches face the hot aisle of the data center, allowing easy connection
to the network ports on the backs of the servers.
Figure 281 Network OOBM in a data center
For even more control, the serial console ports of the switches can be connected to the management
network through a serial console server (essentially, a networked serial switch), allowing the network
administrators to view the CLI activity of each switch at boot time and to control the switches through
the console ports (as well as through the management ports.)
512 Network Out-of-Band Management (OOBM) for the 6600 Switch