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Configuring the PowerConnect 3324/3348 Switch 43
Instructions for setting up the device and hardware are provided in the preceding sections.
For a first-time installation, the standard device installation is performed. There are other
special functions which can be performed, but this suspends the installation process and
results in a system reboot. This option is described later in this section.
General Configuration Information
Dell™ PowerConnect™ 3324/3348 is provided with pre-defined implemented features and
setup configuration.
Auto-Negotiation
Auto-negotiation allows a device to advertise modes of operation and share information
with another device that shares a point-to-point link segment. This automatically
configures both devices to take maximum advantage of their abilities.
Auto-negotiation is performed completely within the physical layers during link initiation,
without any additional overhead to either the MAC or higher protocol layers. Auto-
negotiation allows the ports to do the following:
• Advertise their abilities.
• Acknowledge receipt and understanding of the common modes of operation that both
devices share.
• Reject the use of operational modes that are not shared by both devices.
• Configure each port for the highest-level operational mode that both ports can
support.
If connecting a port of the switch to the network interface controller (NIC) of a workstation
or server that does not support auto-negotiation or is not set to auto-negotiation, both the
switching port and the NIC must be manually set with the Web browser interface or CLI
commands to the same speed and duplex mode.
NOTICE: If the station on the other side of the link attempts to auto-negotiate with a port that
is manually configured to full duplex, the auto-negotiation results in the station attempting to
operate in half duplex. The resulting mismatch may lead to significant frame loss. This is
inherent in the auto-negotiation standard.