There are various port types available for connecting switches to a management network. The port that is used depends on the category of management network being used and the port that is available on the managed switch. The following table provides examples of ports to look for on the switch.
Console management | OOB Ethernet management | In-band Ethernet management | |||
RJ45 connector | ![]() | RJ45 connector | ![]() | RJ45 connector | ![]() |
DB9 connector | ![]() | RJ45 connector | ![]() | Optical connector1 | ![]() ![]() |
USB A connector | ![]() | ||||
Micro USB connector | ![]() | These switch connectors are primarily used for production traffic. They can also be used to carry management traffic. | |||
USB B connector | ![]() |
On a switch, the RJ45, DB9, and USB type A console port connectors (showing the “IOIOI” symbol) are RS-232 serial signal connectors. USB type B console ports are USB data ports that connect directly to a workstation USB port.