the switch management software provides the ability to configure the port speed, duplex and flow control for each utp port. the default setting is auto for all ports. this setting enables nway to auto-negotiate port speed with the device to which the port is connected. it also enables full duplex operation and flow control. the auto setting can not be changed for the optional gbic ports. gbic ports operate at 1000mbps in full duplex mode only with flow control always enabled.

    port speed

    you can select the desired speed and duplex for each utp port. the settings that can be chosen are 10, 100 or auto, where 10 and 100 are the port speed in mbps.

    duplex

    the default setting is full duplex, however any utp port may be set at half duplex by selecting half. the gbic ports operate in full duplex mode only.

    flow control

    the default setting enables flow control however any utp port can be set to disable thus preventing flow control. flow control is useful during periods of heavy network activity when the switch's buffers can receive too much traffic and fill up faster than the switch can forward the information. in such cases, the switch will intervene and instruct the transmitting device to pause to allow the information in the port buffer to be sent.