Beta 3 service manual · Network

1U 8 Port Switch

The 1U 8 Port Switch extends a network to eight jacks, and can run the network's own services: DHCP and a name server.

Networks

Routers, switches and firewalls cabled together form one network. A switch-only network is still a real LAN, with addresses and names, just no internet. A device can only see NAS shares, mirrors and ping targets on its own network.

DHCP on a switch

Any switch can serve DHCP: tick it in the inspector, or dhcp <switch> on. Switches start with it off.

Two active DHCP servers on one network is a rogue DHCP conflict. Both fault and nobody gets an address until you separate the networks or switch one off. Run exactly one per network.

Your own domain

A switch can run a name server. Pick a domain such as lab.pirate or home.lan and attach it to a DHCP network. Every device there gets a name, hostname.your-domain, and you can ping it by name.

Heat

Every device on the network adds traffic, and traffic heats the switch. Fit a second or better fan at the workbench for a busy lab. An overheated switch shuts down and takes its segment with it.

Growing into 24 ports

HARDWARE tab, UPGRADE, or upgrade <switch> go. A tech swaps in the 2U 24 Port Switch where it sits for 2 Chips, a $60 fee and the price of the unit. Every cable stays in its jack. The 24-port is 1U taller, so the slot above the switch must be empty first.

Terminal: dhcp, dns <switch> domain <x.tld>, nslookup.

See also: 2U 24 Port Switch · 1U Edge Router · Networking.