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Unmanaged Network Switches — Frequently Asked Questions

Before anything else, you need to know how to reach the switch’s web interface. Maple Systems unmanaged switches are typically plug-and-play, but Maple’s managed or industrial Ethernet switches require initial setup through their default IP. Here are the first steps:

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1000BASE-SX and 1000BASE-LX are Gigabit Ethernet standards using fiber optic cables for high-speed communication. Defined by the IEEE 802.3z standard, they support 1 Gbps data transmission. 1000BASE-SX operates on multimode fiber (MMF), reaching up to 550 meters, while 1000BASE-LX uses single-mode fiber (SMF), extending up to 10 km. These…

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Storm control monitors the rate of incoming packets on a port. It compares the rate of broadcast, multicast, or unknown unicast traffic to a configured Storm Threshold. When the traffic rate exceeds…

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Nway Auto-Negotiation, defined by the IEEE 802.3 standard, allows network devices to automatically determine the best duplex mode and speed. It eliminates manual configuration by exchanging capabilities between devices. This process…

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Flow Control is a standard defined by IEEE 802.3x that manages data transmission to prevent packet loss during network congestion. It uses pause frames to temporarily stop the sending of data, allowing the receiving device…

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A MAC table is used by network switches to map MAC addresses to specific switch ports. This allows the switch to efficiently forward data frames based on their destination MAC address. The switch dynamically…

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Local Link Discovery Protocol (LLDP) is a standardized data link layer protocol used to discover and exchange information about network devices. Defined by the IEEE 802.1AB standard, LLDP allows devices to advertise their identity, capabilities,…

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A Jumbo Frame is an Ethernet frame with a Maximum Transmission Unit (MTU) larger than the standard 1500-byte size, typically supporting 9000 bytes or more. This larger MTU reduces the…

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The IEC 60068-2 standard is part of the IEC 60068 series, which covers environmental testing for electrical and electronic equipment. Specifically, IEC 60068-2 refers to various test methods and procedures…

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A switch fabric refers to the internal architecture of a network switch that connects its ports and facilitates data forwarding. It enables communication between the switch’s ports by determining how…

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Network device flapping occurs when a network device repeatedly connects and disconnects in short intervals. This issue affects stability and can cause network disruptions. Flapping is commonly seen in links…

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An Industrial Network Switch is a type of switch designed to operate in harsh environments typically found in industrial settings. It is built to withstand factors like temperature extremes, humidity,…

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Traffic Control is a method used to manage network traffic, ensuring optimal performance, prioritization, and efficient data flow. It involves various techniques that control the rate, direction, and volume of…

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Reverse Polarity Protection is a safety feature that prevents damage to electronic devices when the power supply connections are reversed. When the positive and negative wires are mistakenly swapped, reverse…

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Power Surge Protection is a safety feature that safeguards electrical devices from voltage spikes or surges. It may occur due to lightning strikes, power outages, or electrical faults. These surges…

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ESD Protection refers to the methods and components used to protect electronic devices from electrostatic discharge (ESD). ESD occurs when static electricity is suddenly released, which can damage sensitive electronic…

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An Ethernet Management Port in our system refers to a dedicated console port or USB port for device management. It provides administrators with direct access to configure and troubleshoot network…

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An Element Management System (EMS) is a software platform for managing network devices like switches and routers. It helps monitor, configure, and troubleshoot these devices in a centralized manner. EMS…

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An IP Address (Internet Protocol Address) is a unique identifier assigned to each device on a network. Thus, allowing it to communicate with other devices. It serves as both the…

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L2 Forwarding Rate is the speed at which a network device can process and forward Layer 2 (L2) Ethernet frames. It is a key performance metric that determines how quickly…

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Short Circuit Protection (SCP) is a safety feature that prevents damage to electrical devices or circuits when a short circuit occurs. A short circuit happens when the electrical current bypasses…

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Over Current Protection (OCP) is a safety feature designed to prevent electrical devices from being damaged by excessive current. When the current flowing through a circuit exceeds the device’s safe…

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VLAN Passthrough is a network feature that allows VLAN-tagged traffic to pass through a device without altering or stripping the VLAN tags. When a device is configured for VLAN passthrough,…

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A VLAN packet is a data frame that includes information for a Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) that allows devices to communicate within a specific segment of a network. The…

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Relay Contact Outputs on unmanaged and managed switches are controlled by a DIP-switch that can be toggled on or off. When set to ON, the DIP-switch activates a relay contact,…

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Redundant power input is the inclusion of multiple power sources to ensure continuous device operation in case of a power failure. When one power source fails, the system automatically switches…

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Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) refers to unwanted electromagnetic energy that disrupts the normal operation of electronic devices. It can be caused by various sources, such as electrical circuits, radio frequency signals,…

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A virtual local area network (VLAN) segments a physical network into smaller, isolated networks. It can help improve security and performance on a network. Layer 2 switches may create and…

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A layer 2 network switch operates at the Data Link Layer of the OSI model. Read more information about the OSI Model. Layer 2 network switches forward data based on…

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The Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model is a reference model which describes seven layers of communication between computing systems over a network. These seven layers are as outlined: Layer 1…

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A UDP port is a communication endpoint for transmitting data between devices on a network using the UDP protocol. On Maple Systems products, UDP ports enable fast, connectionless communication for…

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A TCP port is a communication endpoint for transmitting data between devices on a network using the TCP protocol. On Maple Systems products, TCP ports facilitate connections between HMIs, PLCs,…

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