Cisco SG300-28P Part 2

After the unboxing in part 1, here comes the part 2 of getting it connected. Before proceed further, get ready with a laptop (or two for testing purpose) with network port (preferably gigabit) and a pair of good network cables would be helpful in later part. If you follow this part you will be able to get this L3 switch up and running like any other L2 switches. I will not cover advanced configuration in this post, that should come in future posts.

Network devices usually comes together with a quick user guide briefing how the first connection can be made...

I usually don't rush to connect new device into the home network until I have configured necessary basic setting ensuring its "adaptability" to the existing network. For instance, the SG300 comes with IP 192.168.1.254 and is set to accept DHCP upon its first connection. If you plug it into your home network and typically you have DHCP server (usually your router) in the network, the IP of SG300 will be updated by the DHCP server. As a result, you might have difficulty identifying its new IP if you are novice in networking. So? I recommend to get started with it standalone till it's configured with basic setting.

You will also need to know the default administrator ID and password...

Unlike the other brands that typically comes with username admin and password admin, this is the standard default ID and password for Cisco devices.

Next is to configure the laptop to join the SG300's default network...

Above is from Windows 7. Please also note that the SG300 is still a standalone switch, not connected to any network. And before the physical connection, I also want to make sure the network cable is in good shape...

Since this is a gigabit switch, make sure LED 1-8 on the cable tester all light up. If you are using cables bundled with router, for example, the Unifi wifi router, check the cable...

Some cables might only has 2 pairs of coppers (the blue cable) instead of 4 (the yellow). You must have 4 pairs to get gigabit speed.

Now connect the laptop to SG300 and power it up...

All LED will light up as shown above during boot up. The switch should be ready in less than 2 minutes (I clocked a minute 12 seconds).

Launch your browser. You might want to use IE or Firefox, some links do not work in Chrome. Type http://192.168.1.254 in the address bar and press Enter. You will be greeted with a slick login page...

Type cisco in the Username and Password and click Login.

You will be asked to change password and you must do so or else the ID will be disabled and you will have to do factory reset...

You will be greeted with Getting Started page once the password change is successful...

Click "Change Device IP Address"...

You should see the IP address type is "Dynamic" and the IP address is 192.168.1.254. Change the type to "Static", and change the IP address to any number within your existing network. For example, if your home network is in 192.168.99.x with subnet mask 255.255.255.0 and router IP (gateway IP) is 192.168.99.1, then you can assign one IP from 192.168.99.2 -192.168.99.254 range to SG300. Getting a little more deeper, it's recommended that you assign an IP outside of the router's DHCP range to avoid potential IP conflict. You can refer to snapshot below if you're using Unifi's stock Dlink wifi router...

The DHCP range shown above is 192.168.99.3 to 192.168.99.10 (router IP 192.168.99.1), so it's safe to assign 192.168.99.20 to SG300 as it is not within the DHCP range.

Once you're done, click Apply. Since you manually assigned the IP to your lappy in earlier step (192.168.1.99), you will not be automatically directed to the new switch IP. Go back to the TCP/IP Properties and change your lappy IP to the same network with switch, 192.168.99.x where x is any unused number within 1 to 254.

There is one unique thing on Cisco devices, "Apply" does not permanently save the change and it is only effective for current setup. The current setup is commonly known as "running configuration". All changes will be reverted upon reboot. Therefore you must save the "running configuration" into the "startup configuration" in order to preserve the changes. So, 3 more clicks before you're really done...

Click Save, make sure the source file is "running configuration" and the target/destination file is "startup configuration". Click Apply and OK. You're now done.

Now the switch is ready to replace your existing switch. Depending on your setup and if you're on Unifi, just plug a network cable to one of the 3 network ports of the Dlink wifi router and the other end to any of the ports on SG300. Finally plug all network equipment into the switch and it should run flawlessly.

One more note worth mentioning here. It's good to run a simple test to ensure the hardware is free from defects, in particular if you are not going to fully utilize all the ports on the switch. Do a ping to another device (say the device is with IP 192.168.99.3) on the same switch...

Open a command prompt, and type the command as above. If you get the same result like above (Reply from ... ... ...), you're all good. Plug the device to another port and repeat the same for the remaining physical ports.

Next (till I have time to configure and blog), perhaps to configure the switch to the desired network design.

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Merry X'mas!

How do you tell you're getting old?

I used to be the one who acquire presents during festival like X'mas, but now have became the one who busy buying gifts for the younger generation. If you're like me, you're old.

As the acting Santa Claus to the nieces and nephew (well, the body shape is getting alike), Toys'rus is a place that would save you a lot of time hunting the right gifts. By the way that's not tough, the challenging part is to know what is in trend currently and what they like. For instance, Dora, Ben 10, Beyblade and whatnot. Well, I still find that is a piece of cake, much easier than buying gift for girlfriend. Hehe... Fortunately, my family is small and I can tailor the present to each niece/nephew's favorite.

First, of course is my little darling...

She told me about this cartoon and her friends are collecting different blades. She longed for the strongest blade named unicorn so now her dream comes true.

Next is ah girl who idolizes the little darling. She looks at her as role model, little darling loves Dora and ah girl also loves Dora...

So now she has a companion that she can hug to sleep together. Hopefully she can nap a little longer during day time to grant everybody some peace of mind. Hehe...

Last is the Charlie Brown in the house...

I don't feel safe to post his photo here, he is definitely look very alike to Charlie. Some say Tintin. LOL. Oh ya, a geeky uncle buys a phone to start training him to be the next geek in the family, what's more his dad is working in a phone company. Hehe... In addition, to train him to talk over phone so that he can call grandma in the future. Perhaps I shall buy him his pet next time.

Okay, it's time to unwrap gift. Gotta rest early too as my tomorrow is fully packed with marathon events planned by those energized kids. Another aging sign if you feel exhausted playing with them. -.-||

Merry X'mas!

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Cisco SG300-28P Managed Switch

If you were a Streamyx user converted to Unifi, likely you have realized that you had enough LAN ports in Streamyx time but not with Unifi, well, if you fully utilized the 4 LAN ports on the Streamyx's ADSL router. This is because one LAN port marked in red color on the Unifi's wifi router is reserved for IPTV. That's what exactly hitting me when I upgraded from Streamyx to Unifi.

Of course there is a virtually "zero-cost" solution by recycling the ADSL router you have. What you need to buy (if you don't have) is a short crossover cable, power up the ADSL router, turn off or disable the wifi on ADSL router, connect one end of the crossover cable to LAN port on Unifi wifi router, connect the other end to the LAN port on the ADSL router and you're done with 5 available LAN ports to be used! Please note that it's LAN port on both the ADSL and Unifi wifi router NOT the WAN port. Some modern routers come with Auto MDIX feature that you don't even need to buy a crossover cable, a usual straight cable will do.

Well, alternative above is not ideal for me 'cause I need more than 5 connections. Further to that, I stream full HD Bluray contents from my NAS to the media player (and might be multiple media players streaming simultaneously in near future), while some big files copy and downloads might be happening concurrently, therefore gigabit backbone is a must. To go a little more advance, I plan to segregate the local network into different segments, namely the vlan - one for PC network, one for media streaming and the other for IP CCTV network. And for IP CCTV, PoE feature is required to power up my IP cameras.

To my disappointment, the stock Unifi's Dlink wifi router cum switch has been struggling to even stream a jitter-free Bluray movie with no other activity in the local network, let alone to support my requirements above. As a result, I finally found myself sufficient excuses to get an advanced switch...

Oh yeah, consumer-grade switch can no longer fulfill my needs, I need a business-grade switch :P Hence, the Cisco Small Business SG300-28P...

A 28 port gigabit managed switch...

It's Cisco's 300 series managed Layer 3 switch (in layman term, switch is a Layer 2 device that only performs network switching but Layer 3 switch is capable of performing network routing. Refer to OSI model 7 layers). It comes with 28 gigabit ports and 2 mini GBIC combo ports (shared with port-27 and port-28) which I don't think I would be using it. Its switching capacity is 56Gbps which is definitely more than what I need for my requirements. The prefix P in the model number denotes the PoE feature that I need for the IP cameras delivering maximum power of 15.4W per port of total 180W dedicated to PoE (means 11 ports can be used to supply power to PoE devices that draws max 15.4W each). Other than that, vlan support is a piece of cake for this managed switch and it also supports jumbo frames. Not to forget it's future-proof with native support for IPv6.

As you can see from the photo above, the package comes with the switch, a power cord, rack mount kit, a quick user guide and a documentation CD. There is also a serial console cable (not in the photo) to access the switch using its console port.

Nothing much to talk on the physical box. It's a front facing switch with all network ports at the front (than rear). The reset button is located at the front bottom left edge. This is good where you don't have to reach out to the rear if you ever need to reset the switch. Turn to the back...

From left, the console port, 2 fans and the input power. As this switch is not a consumer-grade switch, you see 2 fans and data sheet lists the noise level as 40dB. So you may want to reconsider if you plan to have the switch sitting next to you. This is the trade off (for a business-grade switch) you need to compromise.

You can't get this switch easily from any IT shop or Low Yat. You will have to buy from one of the Cisco resellers. Head on to MySMEConnect.com for a list of resellers. Apparently this site was created by Cisco and was discontinued after a short period of time due to lack of response. My feedback to Cisco is do more marketing, SMB is a very huge pie to grab in Malaysia. There are also many SOHO whom might be looking some higher grade products (than consumer grade) for their home offices just like me. I reckon the site should continue as a platform for Cisco to penetrate into the market that they have never been to, at the same time to be more aggressive in marketing their Small Business products.

I bought this switch from SNS and got a year-end promotional price at RM1970...

Stop for now. I hope I have time later to continue a little more in depth with this switch.

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Oh! Finally! Unifi!

Finally! The long waiting Unifi arrived at my house!

Need not cover the details here as you can find many blogs from other Unifi pioneers about the service and installation. In general, 2 groups of contractors came, one for external installation...

The other for internal installation including the wifi and IPTV setup, making sure you're able to connect to internet and watch the HyppTV...

While I don't really bother how the outside fiber cable is laid, I am fussy on how the fiber run in the house...

A conduit was installed and concealed in the wall and plaster ceiling during the renovation and now it becomes the fiber cable path. See the previous photo with wifi router on how the fiber cable exits (pointed by red arrow) from the conduit. Clean and neat ;)

Last, what package do I subscribe to? What else except the highest VIP20 package...

Thinking of getting another VIP10. Hehe...

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Kah Ping Mee Hoon Kueh

There are many good food in Klang. From Bah Kut Teh, Hokkien style fried noodle, pork rib rice, seafood, rojak, cendol and many more. Most of these exist since decades ago, inherited from generation to generation. Some improved some not and eventually close out. Some changed the business model to conform the current trend, such as this stall...

Kah Ping, a stall selling Mee Hoon Kueh, or commonly aka Pan Mee in KL area. This is Kah Ping's first stall (moved from a shop house nearby) since decades, usually is crowded with people during lunch. Look at the blind, you probably could imagine the hot weather when the sun is raging right above your head, heat surrounding the stall and the sweat those diners have to perspire to enjoy the hot dish. Well, not for me~ if I have a choice...

Yeah... Kah Ping has another new branch opened in Bukit Tinggi Klang. And this is not a stall but a restaurant with air conditioner...

A very simple setup but most important is the blowers right below the ceiling :)

Come to food. This branch seems to offer more varieties of Mee Hoon Kueh (than the first stall) and I ordered a bowl of bitter gourd Mee Hoon Kueh...

Something you must not miss when you eat Mee Hoon Kueh...

The ikan bilis or anchovies and cili padi or bird's eye chili. Put them all together for a marvellous taste...

You probably need some chilled drink after the hot bowl. If you're a coffee lover, I recommend Kah Ping Special...

Or just get a glass of barli ice...

Look at the barley sunk at the bottom of the glass. It's still the authentic cooked barley drink, not the artificial powder most of the restaurants offer nowadays.

Kah Ping may seem overshadow by another popular Mee Hoon Kueh restaurant near my old house, the Tua Pui Fatty Mee Hun Kuih, but I find it comparable though. There must be a reason to its survival since 1953, right?

If you like to sweat, Kah Ping HQ is located at Jalan Gelugor (GPS coordinate N3 03.025 E101 27.069), the hawker stall is right behind Maybank. If you are made of candle like me (melt when hot) and prefer air conditioned restaurant, head to Jalan Sentosa 5 (or GPS coordinate N3 00.786 E101 25.894) at Bukit Tinggi Klang, somewhere near Giant Bukit Tinggi Klang. Here's the business hour of its branch...

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Motorola Atrix MB860

Need no further intro. This phone has been in the wild for some times. Indeed, it's considered a dated phone as the 2nd generation has been leaked in numerous tech blogs. Oh well, just few months of ownership and it's now a dated one. Perhaps Apple is much better in protecting its customers' "ROI", at least iPhone owners are always "in" for minimum a year.

Nevertheless, I still like its specifications which have not disappointed me...

The internal 16GB storage is partitioned into a 1GB+ application storage which is more than enough to house all your applications. You can also move the apps to the remaining 10GB+ storage. And I got myself an unnecessary 32GB class 10 micro SDHC card. I am finding the hell way to fill up the card. :)

A beauty like this needs some protection. I am an extreme minimalist, it's very hard to find a good protective case which is not bulky at all. Apple products beat all others on this arena. Fortunately Google is the savor, I found one eventually at CarryMobile...

A Melkco leather snap case that protects the phone from scratches without adding much weight and bulkiness to it. The Atrix fits perfectly with all buttons accessible...

A very well built quality product. I certainly will shop for other cases there again for my new gadgets in future.

The screen also deserves some form of protection. I thought I had but I did not capture the Steinheil Ultra series screen protector film I bought from Amazon. It really makes the qHD screen stands out like an HD screen. My friend got one for his iPad and was very happy with the quality as well, better than the one he bought from Apple store.

This Atrix is an AP Retail version bought in Malaysia, not the 4G version sold in US. It comes with Froyo 2.2. If you own one and anxiously waiting for an upgrade to Gingerbread 2.3.4, wait no more. Head to Motorola Support site, select Singapore (even if yours is Malaysia unit), select Atrix and download the MSU Motorola Software Update utility. Follow carefully the steps 1-3 and you should be able to do it without much trouble. Try unplug and replug the phone (and reboot your workstation if required) if it says "no updates available". This is what you get after the upgrade...

All your data and apps will still be intact after upgrade. You get a new Motoblur interface which is better than the stock Froyo interface and some minor additions such as data encryption feature. This upgrade is not available via OTA, the OTA upgrade will only come in November for AP Retail units. But who knows Motorola decided not to do so. They really suck in software upgrade strategy.

Lastly, the performance after upgrade...

2042 Quadrant score if the snapshot above isn't clear. The second snapshot was Linpak result with single thread follow by multithread test. Not too bad if you compare with Sammy GS2 and HTC Sensation with higher CPU speed...

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