How to Configure VLANs via CLI & Web Interface?
Sep 28, 20211 min read
VLAN (Virtual Local Area Network) allows you to segment LAN into more logical networks. It is usually composed of one or more Ethernet switches and is associated with broadcast domains. This post will show you how to configure VLAN via CLI and Web Interface, including basic information about CLI and Web Interface functionality of a data switch and specific procedures of switch VLAN configuration.
What Are CLI & Web Interface?
CLI (Command Line Interface) is a text-based interface navigated by typing commands at prompts to configure and manage networking devices. After you type in the configuration commands, the network software will recognize the commands to help you monitor the status of your networking devices. The following figure shows the CLI of the FS S5850-48T4Q Ethernet switch.
Web Interface or Web User Interface (Web UI) is also called Graphical User Interface (GUI). It provides visual cues and uses conventions that allow you to configure your data switches in a web browser. The figure below shows what a Web User Interface looks like in the web browser. In the Web Interface, you can view the basic information of the devices that are connected and make some changes to the networks involved.
How to Access CLI & Web Interface on Data Switches?
As aforementioned, switch VLAN configuration can be accomplished via the CLI or Web Interface. Here we demonstrate the specific steps on how to access CLI and web interface respectively.
Steps to Access CLI
The simplest way to enter the CLI interface is to build a direct serial connection between the computer and the data switch. As demonstrated in the video above, you have to connect the computer to the console port of the switch with a console cable, and then perform the following steps.
1. Install and run SecureCRT software on the computer.
2. Check the COM port on the computer to make sure it is linked with the data switch successfully.
3. Set the baud rate and other basic parameters of the COM3 port ( (typically 9600 baud rate, 8 data bits, no parity and 1 stop bit).
4. Input command #enter. The switch will usually prompt for a username and password. Default credentials are often admin/admin, or blank. It's crucial to change these default credentials immediately for security.
If no stop message pops up, it means you have entered the CLI successfully.
Steps to Access Web Interface
Accessing the Web Interface is generally easier for most users, especially beginners. After connecting your computer to the switch, follow the procedures listed below:
1. Configure Your Computer's IP Address (if necessary):
If the switch has a default static IP (e.g., 192.168.1.1), set your PC to a static IP in the same range (e.g., 192.168.1.2) with subnet mask 255.255.255.0.
If the switch is configured to get an IP address via DHCP, and you have a DHCP server on your network, your computer should also be set to obtain an IP address automatically, and they should ideally receive IP addresses in the same subnet.
How to change your computer's IP address:
Windows: Go to Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center > Change adapter settings. Right-click on your Ethernet adapter, choose Properties, select "Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)," click Properties, and then select "Use the following IP address."
MacOS: Go to System Settings > Network, select your Ethernet adapter, click "Details," then "TCP/IP," and choose "Manually" for "Configure IPv4."
2. Log In: In the address bar of your web browser, type in the IP address of the switch and press Enter. Then, enter the switch's default username and password into the login screen.
How to Configure VLAN via CLI & Web Interface?
In the VLAN implementations, a LAN is partitioned into multiple VLAN networks with one physical switch. At the same time, some configurations must be made on the switch to accommodate the particular changes of your networking architectures. Watch the video below to learn how to configure a VLAN via the CLI and Web Interface with FS S5850-32S2Q data center leaf switch.
VLAN Configuration via CLI
As shown in the video above, there are four steps to configure a VLAN via the CLI. Perform the VLAN configuration command listed in the chart below and you’re able to view and manage all the VLANs created on your switch.
Procedure | Command | Purpose |
Step 1 | #enter | Enter CLI interface |
Step 2 | #configure terminal | Enter the global configure mode |
Step 3 | #vlan database | Enter VLAN configure mode |
Step 4 | #show vlan all | Check the details of all VLANs on this switch |
VLAN Configuration via Web Interface
The VLAN configuration in Web Interface is quite simple. You can add, modify or delete VLANs in Service Management in the Web Interface.
Step 1: Connect your PC to the management interface of the switch, then go to VLAN Settings
Step 2: Add a new VLAN, input the VLAN ID, and assign ports as required.
Step 3: Save the changes to ensure the configuration is retained after a reboot.
Conclusion
Both the CLI and Web Interface are configuration methods to manage and monitor data switches. The CLI functionality is more often supported by high-end switches. However, Ethernet switches with low-level configuration can only be accessed via the Web Interface instead of the CLI. FS S5800/S5850/S8050 series Ethernet switches can be configured via both the CLI and Web User Interface. Console cables and grounding cables used to connect the switches are also included in our product packages. For more information, please feel free to contact us via sales@fs.com.