Ok bloggees and bloggers, this next tip reaches out to all those networking guys that are struggling with using Putty or HyperTerminal to configure a Dell 2824 swtich and just gives them a big hug.

So you just opened your slender Dell box and now your sleek, black Dell PowerConnect 2824 switch, a power cord, a manual, a console cable, and that little packet of beads that keeps the unit from taking in moisture are staring you in the face.  What do you do?

Normally you can connect the switch and console cable, configure Putty (or Hyperterminal), then connect the power cable, and hope that the command-line configuration page loads properly.  Or, you can use the GUI.

Many people fail to use this easy tool for these particular types of switches because not much information is provided about it.  It also doesn’t help that the default ip address is elusively placed in the manual.  So let me fill you in:

1. Power on the switch by connecting the power cable

2. Use a paperclip and press the indented button on the front right corner of the switch to change the mode from ‘unmanaged’ to ‘managed’

3. Setup your computer with the ip schema 192.168.2.200 and a class C subnet (255.255.255.0)

4. Plug in the switch to your computer via an ethernet cable

5. On your computer, browse to the address http://192.168.2.1

6. Log in as ‘admin’ and leave the password blank

7. Check the box to enable the connection, select the radio button to use the default password, and click Apply.

The system will reboot and then you will be able to connect to the full graphical user interface and configure your switch.

BONUS TIP: Firmware update

Dell recommends updating your firmware as soon as you get the switch configured.  Luckily the firmware update does not erase your settings, however Dell recommends using TFTP or XMODEM software.  I recommend using the GUI again for this one.

1. Download the latest firmware for your device from Dell.com and save it to your local machine

2. Log into the switch via its ip address

3. Navigate to System > File Management > File Download

4. Select the radio button, “Download via HTTP”

5. Browse to saved location of firmware update and load the file.  A progress dialog window will open and show the status and bytes transferred.

6. Once it is complete, reboot the switch by disconnecting/reconnecting the power cord and viola, your switch is now configured and has the latest firmware available.

Lastly, please remember to reset your ip schema on your computer back to default.  Until next time, continue surfing the internet safely!