SODOLA 5 Port 2.5Gb Managed Switch User Manual

1. Introduction

This manual provides detailed instructions for the installation, configuration, and operation of your SODOLA 5 Port 2.5Gb Managed Switch. This device is designed to enhance network connectivity with high-speed 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet ports and a 10 Gigabit SFP+ uplink, offering advanced management features for home and prosumer environments.

2. Safety Information

• Ensure the device is placed on a stable, flat surface or securely mounted.
• Do not expose the switch to water, moisture, or extreme temperatures.
• Use only the provided power adapter to prevent damage.
• Ensure adequate ventilation around the device to prevent overheating.
• Do not attempt to open or repair the device yourself. Contact support for assistance.

3. Package Contents

Verify that all items are present in your package:

• SODOLA 5 Port 2.5G Ethernet Managed Switch
• Power Cord
• 4 Magnetic Feet
• User Manual (this document)

4. Product Overview

The SODOLA 5 Port 2.5Gb Managed Switch features a robust aluminum alloy housing designed for efficient heat dissipation and silent operation. It includes multiple high-speed ports for flexible network configurations.

Figure 4.1: Front and Rear Panel Overview
This image displays the SODOLA 5 Port 2.5Gb Managed Switch, highlighting its key components. On the front, there are five 2.5G RJ45 ports (labeled 1-5) and one 10G SFP+ port (labeled 6). Each RJ45 port has LED indicators for 2.5G (Green) and 100/1000Mbps (Yellow). The device also features a DC 12V power input, a power indicator, a reset button, and a grounding screw for secure installation.

4.1. Front Panel

• DC 12V Input: Power connection port.
• PWR LED: Indicates power status.
• RJ45 Ports (1-5): Five 100/1000/2500Mbps Ethernet ports. Each port has two LEDs:
  • Green LED: Indicates a 2.5Gbps connection.
  • Yellow LED: Indicates a 100Mbps or 1000Mbps connection.
• SFP+ Port (6): One 10Gbps SFP+ port for high-speed fiber optic connections.

4.2. Rear Panel

• Reset Button: Used to restore factory default settings. Press and hold for 5-10 seconds while the device is powered on.
• Grounding Screw: For connecting a grounding wire to ensure electrical safety.

5. Setup

5.1. Physical Installation

1. Placement: Place the switch on a flat, stable surface or mount it using the magnetic feet. Ensure sufficient space for ventilation.
2. Magnetic Mounting (Optional):
   

   Figure 5.1: Magnetic Mounting Steps
   This image illustrates how to attach the magnetic feet for mounting the switch to a metal surface. First, remove the bottom screws from the switch. Then, attach the magnetic assembly clockwise into the screw holes. This allows the switch to adhere to metal surfaces like racks or desks, providing flexible placement options.

   To use the magnetic mounting feature, remove the existing screws from the bottom of the switch and attach the provided magnetic feet by screwing them in clockwise. The switch can then be adhered to any suitable metal surface.

3. Power Connection: Connect the provided power cord to the DC 12V input port on the switch and then to a power outlet. The PWR LED should illuminate.
4. Network Connections: Connect your network devices (computers, NAS, routers, etc.) to the RJ45 ports (1-5) using Ethernet cables (Cat5e, Cat6, or Cat7 are compatible for 2.5Gbps speeds). For 10Gbps uplink, insert a compatible SFP+ module (not included) into port 6 and connect a fiber optic cable.

5.2. Initial Web Management Access

The switch is managed via a web interface. Follow these steps to access it:

1. Connect Your PC: Connect your computer directly to any of the switch's RJ45 ports using an Ethernet cable.
2. Configure PC IP Address:
   

   Figure 5.2: Manual IP Configuration Example
   This image displays a typical network adapter settings window, illustrating how to manually configure your computer's IP address. To access the switch's web interface, you need to set your PC's IP address to be in the same subnet as the switch. For example, if the switch's default IP is 192.168.2.1, you might set your PC's IP to 192.168.2.10 with a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0.

   The default IP address of the switch is 192.168.2.1. You need to configure your computer's network adapter with a static IP address in the same subnet (e.g., 192.168.2.10) and a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0.
3. Access Web Interface: Open a web browser and enter http://192.168.2.1 in the address bar.
4. Login:
   

   Figure 5.3: Web Interface Login
   This image shows the login screen for the SODOLA switch's web management interface. The default username is admin and the default password is admin. It is highly recommended to change these credentials immediately after the initial login for security purposes.

   Enter the default credentials:

   • Username: admin
   • Password: admin

   It is strongly recommended to change the default password immediately after your first login for security reasons.

6. Operating Instructions

The SODOLA 5 Port 2.5Gb Managed Switch offers a range of features accessible through its intuitive web management interface. This section outlines key functionalities.

6.1. Web Management Interface Overview

Figure 6.1: Powerful Software Features Overview
This image provides a visual summary of the advanced software features available through the switch's web management interface. These include IGMP, VLAN, DHCP, QoS, MAC Address management, Link Aggregation, Loop Protocol, Port Mirroring, and Jumbo Frame support, allowing for comprehensive network control without command-line interface expertise.

The web interface allows you to configure, monitor, and troubleshoot the device without requiring command-line interface (CLI) expertise. Navigate through the menu options to access various settings.

Important: After making any changes in the web interface, ensure you click "Apply" for individual settings and then navigate to "Save Configuration" to permanently save your changes. Unsaved changes will be lost upon reboot.

Figure 6.2: Applying and Saving Configuration Changes
This image highlights the critical steps for saving configuration changes within the web management interface. After adjusting parameters, you must click "Apply" for those specific settings. Subsequently, navigate to the "Save Configuration" section and click "Save" to ensure all modifications are permanently stored and persist after a device reboot.

6.2. Key Features

• VLAN (Virtual Local Area Network):

  VLANs allow you to segment your network into smaller, isolated broadcast domains, improving security and network performance. You can create port-based VLANs to separate traffic for different departments or purposes.

  

  Figure 6.3: VLAN for Higher Security
  This diagram demonstrates how VLANs can be used to enhance network security and management. Different devices (e.g., laptop, NAS, printer) are assigned to separate VLANs (VLAN1, VLAN2) even when connected to the same physical switch, effectively isolating their network traffic.
• LACP (Link Aggregation Control Protocol):

  LACP allows you to combine multiple physical links into a single logical link, increasing bandwidth and providing redundancy. This is particularly useful for connecting to devices like Network Attached Storage (NAS) for higher throughput.

  

  Figure 6.4: Max 5Gbps Link Bandwidth with LACP
  This image illustrates the benefit of Link Aggregation (LACP) when connecting the switch to a NAS device. By combining multiple 2.5Gbps ports, a single logical link with up to 5Gbps bandwidth can be achieved, providing enhanced flexibility and reliability for network infrastructure.

• QoS (Quality of Service):

  QoS allows you to prioritize network traffic, ensuring that critical applications (e.g., voice, video, gaming) receive sufficient bandwidth and experience minimal latency. This helps maintain a fluent online experience.

  

  Figure 6.5: QoS for Fluent Online Experience
  This image visually represents how Quality of Service (QoS) functions. Administrators can designate priority to specific types of traffic, such as gaming or 4K video streaming, to ensure these applications remain clear and lag-free, even under heavy network load.

• IGMP Snooping:

  IGMP Snooping optimizes multicast traffic delivery, preventing unnecessary flooding of multicast packets to all ports. This is particularly beneficial for applications like IPTV, improving network efficiency.

  

  Figure 6.6: IGMP Snooping for Multicast Optimization
  This image features an icon symbolizing traffic management, representing IGMP Snooping. This feature optimizes multimedia traffic delivery, ensuring a better network experience, especially for applications like IPTV, by intelligently forwarding multicast streams only to interested recipients.
• Other Features: The web interface also provides configurations for DHCP, MAC Address management, Loop Protocol, Port Mirroring, and Jumbo Frame support. Refer to the online help within the web interface for detailed instructions on these features.

7. Maintenance

• Cleaning: Use a soft, dry cloth to clean the exterior of the switch. Do not use liquid or aerosol cleaners.
• Ventilation: Ensure that the ventilation holes on the switch are not blocked to maintain optimal cooling. The aluminum alloy housing is designed for efficient heat dissipation.
• Firmware Updates: Periodically check the manufacturer's website for available firmware updates. Updating firmware can improve performance, add new features, and fix bugs. Follow the instructions provided with the firmware update package carefully.

8. Troubleshooting

• No Power:
  • Ensure the power cord is securely connected to the switch and a working power outlet.
  • Verify the power outlet is functional by plugging in another device.
• No Network Connectivity:
  • Check that Ethernet cables are securely connected to both the switch and the network devices.
  • Verify the link/activity LEDs on the switch ports are illuminated, indicating a valid connection.
  • Ensure your network devices are configured correctly (e.g., correct IP settings, DHCP enabled if applicable).
  • If using the SFP+ port, ensure the SFP+ module is correctly inserted and compatible.
• Cannot Access Web Management Interface:
  • Confirm your computer's IP address is in the same subnet as the switch (default: 192.168.2.x).
  • Clear your browser's cache or try a different browser.
  • Ensure no firewall settings on your computer are blocking access to the switch's IP address.
  • If the default IP has been changed and forgotten, you may need to perform a factory reset.
• Network Performance Issues (e.g., Packet Dropping):
  • Check for faulty or damaged Ethernet cables.
  • Ensure the switch has adequate ventilation and is not overheating.
  • Verify that the connected devices are operating correctly.
  • Consider performing a factory reset if issues persist after checking basic connections and environment.
• Factory Reset:

  If you encounter persistent issues or forget your login credentials, you can perform a factory reset:

  1. With the switch powered on, use a paperclip or a thin object to press and hold the Reset button on the rear panel for 5-10 seconds.
  2. Release the button. The switch will reboot with factory default settings.

9. Specifications

Figure 9.1: Product Specifications and Dimensions
This image provides a comprehensive overview of the SODOLA 5 Port 2.5Gb Managed Switch's technical specifications and physical dimensions. It details the model number, interface types, switching capacity, packet forwarding rate, buffer size, MAC address table size, Jumbo Frame support, surge protection, power supply requirements, no-load power consumption, and operating temperature range.

10. Warranty and Support

For warranty information and technical support, please refer to the official Sodola website or contact your retailer. Keep your purchase receipt for warranty claims.

Optional protection plans may be available for purchase to extend coverage beyond the standard warranty period. Please check with your vendor for details on available plans.