SLX - Cannot Log in to Switch

Unable to Access an SLX Series Managed Switch

Users may encounter situations where they are unable to access their switch. This can occur if the switch is configured at an unknown address, has VLANs configured, or a number of other issues.

Troubleshooting this process has several steps:

1. Confirmation of a managed switch
2. Computer connection check
3. IP Address check
4. Switch configuration check
5. RMA criteria

Step 1: Confirmation of a Managed Switch

Only managed switches have an interface that users can log into. The following part numbers are managed switches:

• ET-xMS-xxx
• ET-xMG-xxx
• SL(X)-xMS-xxx
• SL(X)-xMG-xxx
• EKxx
• EFxx

An x can indicate any number or letter. All other part numbers are either unmanaged or Ring switches. They are treated as plug-and-play.

Step 2: Computer Connections Check

To ensure that you are properly connected to the switch, use the following steps:

1. From the Start menu, open the Control Panel.
2. Double-click on Network Connections.
3. Double-click on the Adapter that is connected to your Sixnet switch.
4. The connection status should be listed as Connected or as Limited or No Connectivity. If this is the case, proceed to Step 3. If the connection is listed as Disconnected, proceed to step 5.
5. Confirm that the cable is physically seated in the network (LAN) port of your computer. Remove and reseat the cable. A click should be heard when the cable is properly seated. If a link is established, LEDs next to the port should be lit or flashing.
6. Confirm that the cable is physically seated in an Ethernet port of the switch. Remove and reseat the cable. A click should be heard when the cable is properly seated. If a link is established, the LEDs next to the port should be lit or flashing. Also try another port of the switch if no link is detected.
7. Try another Ethernet cable, if one is available.
8. Restart your computer.
9. Try another PC, if one is available.
10. IF there are still no Link indications, proceed to Step 5 for RMA Criteria.

Step 3: IP Address Check

To set your IP address, or to check your current IP address, use the following steps:

1. From the Start menu, open the Control Panel.
2. Double-click on Network Connections.
3. Click on the Adapter that is connected to your Sixnet switch to highlight it. Right click to display the popup menu and choose Properties.
4. In the General tab, scroll through the list of items that the connection uses until you reach the “Internet Protocol (TCP/IP”' item. Click on it, and then click the “Properties” button.
5. If a static address has been configured, it will be listed here. To configure one or to change the existing address, proceed to step 6
6. Click the “Use the following IP address button”.
7. Enter the desired IP address, subnet mask and gateway (if known) in the appropriate fields.
8. This information should be similar to the IP address of the Sixnet device you wish to communicate with. For example, if the switch is configured for 192.168.0.1 with a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0, your computer should be set to an unused address in the same range, such as 192.168.0.100, with the same subnet mask.
9. The DNS settings should be blank, unless your network administrator has provided these values for you.
10. Click “OK” in the TCP/IP properties window, then “OK” again in the Connection properties window.
11. Your IP address has now been set.

 Default Switch Addresses

In July 2010, firmware version 5.0 was released, which changes the default IP address of these switches to 192.168.0.1. Switches manufactured before this time will be running older firmware where the default IP is 10.2.0.1. Legacy ET series switches will always have a default IP of 10.2.0.1 regardless of the date of manufacture.

Step 4: Switch Configuration Check

To ensure that a setting in your switch is not preventing you from accessing it, do the following:

1. You must be able to access the console port of the switch, either using RS232 or USB (on supported models). To take advantage of the USB port, please visit http://www.sixnet.com to install the USB driver. Otherwise, proceed to the “Access the Terminal User Interface” section.
2. After completing the USB driver installation, you may then connect the switch via USB. The Found New Hardware Wizard will appear.
3. Click “No, not this time”, and then click “Next”. On the next dialog, select “Install the software automatically”, and then click “Next”.
4. The computer will locate the driver and confirm that you would like to install the unverified driver. Click “Continue Anyway”, and then click “Finish” to complete the installation.

View the USB COM Port

To view the COM port the USB device has been assigned to, do the following:

1. From the Start menu, open the Control Panel.
2. Double-click on Administrative Tools, and then double-click on Computer Management.
3. Under “System Tools”, click on the “Device Manager”. Click on “Ports (COM & LPT)” to view the ports, and then click on the “USB Serial Device” port.

The COM number following the name can now be used to access the switch using the terminal interface.

NOTE: The USB and RS232 ports cannot be connected simultaneously. Please connect only the cable type you wish to use to communicate with the switch.

Access the Terminal User Interface

To access the terminal user interface, do the following:

1. Connect the serial port of your PC (typically a female DB9 connector) to the serial port of the switch (female RJ45 connector on DIN rail models, DB9 on Rack mounted models). On units with a USB port, connect a USB cable from a USB port on your PC to the USB port on the switch. Refer to the hardware user manual for details on how to make this connection. Contact your switch provider to purchase a pre-wired interface cable or USB cable if necessary.
2. Configure a terminal program (such as HyperTerminal) for 9600, 8N1 and no flow control. Once connected, pressing enter will produce a login prompt.

For models with Firmware version 4.7.xxxx and earlier

1. Log in with the username “cli” and password “admin”.
2. Type “network address” and press Enter. The switch will display its current address. To change the address, type “network address xx.xx.xx.xx”,  where xx is the desired IP address.
3. Type “network subnet” and press Enter. The switch will display its current subnet mask. To change the subnet, type “network subnet xx.xx.xx.xx”, where xx is the desired subnet mask.
4. Type “vlan mode” and press Enter. The vlan mode should be set to “disabled”. If it is not, type “vlan mode disabled” and press Enter.
5. Type “commit” and press Enter if any settings were changed in steps 1-4.
6. To confirm the switch has a valid link status with the port you are connected to, type “info link all” and press Enter. Verify that the port you are connected to has a link speed in the “Link” column.
7. You should now be able to access the switch. You can check your connectivity to the switch by opening a command prompt (Choose Start > Run. Type “cmd” and click “OK”) and typing “ping xx.xx.xx.xx” where xx is the address of the switch.
8. If you are still unable to access the switch, you can attempt to restore factory defaults by typing “defaults” and pressing Enter. When prompted, type “reset”and press Enter to reboot the switch with the factory defaults.
9. If you are still unable access the switch at its default address, it may be necessary to reload firmware. Please refer to the Firmware loading script.
10. If after loading firmware the switch is still inaccessible, proceed to step 5 for RMA criteria

For models with Firmware version 5.xxxx and later

1. Log in with the username “cli” and password “admin”.
2. Type “info support” and review the information displayed.
3. To change the switch’s address, type 'network address xx.xx.xx.xx” where xx is the desired IP address.
4. To change the subnet mask, type “network subnet xx.xx.xx.xx” where xx is the desired subnet.
5. The vlan mode should be set to “disabled”. If it is not, type “vlan mode disabled” and press Enter.
6. Type “commit” and press Enter if any settings were changed in steps 1-5.
7. To confirm the switch has a valid link status with the port you are connected to, type “info link all” and press Enter. Verify that the port you are connected to has a link speed in the “Link” column.
8. You should now be able to access the switch. You can check your connectivity to the switch by opening a command prompt (Choose Start > Run. Type “cmd” and click OK) and typing “ping xx.xx.xx.xx” where xx is the address of the switch.
9. If you are still unable to access the switch, you can attempt to restore factory defaults by typing “defaults” and pressing Enter. When prompted, type “reset” and press enter to reboot the switch with the factory defaults.
10. If you are still unable access the switch at its default address, it may be necessary to reload firmware. Please refer to the Firmware loading script.
11. If after loading firmware the switch is still inaccessible, proceed to step 5 for RMA criteria.

Step 5: RMA Criteria

If you have proceeded through the steps above and are still unable to access your switch, you may need to send your switch back to Sixnet for evaluation. Please have the following information for each unit to be returned before requesting an RMA.

• Complete Part Number
• Serial Number and/or date code.
• Description of the fault.

It should also be indicated in the case/ticket if the customer is requesting advanced replacement. Once the information has been gathered, assign the case to the RMA department.

Disclaimer

It is the customer's responsibility to review the advice provided herein and its applicability to the system. Red Lion makes no representation about specific knowledge of the customer's system or the specific performance of the system. Red Lion is not responsible for any damage to equipment or connected systems. The use of this document is at your own risk. Red Lion standard product warranty applies.

Red Lion Technical Support

If you have any questions or trouble contact Red Lion Technical Support by clicking here or calling 1-877-432-9908.

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