'audiophile' switches

Being able to use the web or to telnet or SSH into a Cisco switch to trigger the initial configuration dialogue depends on the switch config having being wiped first as far as I know. And that wasn’t clear to me from the OP whether that had been done. But if you tell me otherwise then OK. BTW telnet is no longer installed natively on OS X, although you can find downloads.

The line break method on the physical console port using a USB to serial adapter usually allows you to override any existing password, and wipe the configuration yourself.

Oh well I guess my 2960 is an old one …

As my Console cable is on my desk at work, this is useful info - thanks Simon.

I’ve got an unusual issue so i’m interested in having a look at the switch logs to see what is going on as i have a port indicating a link fault. I noticed the other day that the activity light on my uplink port (which connects to my Router) was occasionally flashing alternate orange and green for around 10 seconds and then going back to normal flickering green. I’ve ruled out cables and ports and have come to the conclusion that it’s related to a change of Router. I’ve recently moved from an Airport Extreme to a TP Link Deco system and it’s only started doing it since the change over.

Any pointers would be appreciated !

James

In which case if very old then yes you will need to initially use the console cable to set up a loop back, then you can use Ethernet telnet or ssh.

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Alternate green and amber identifies a link fault… for what ever reason the switch is seeing framing errors on the port. It sounds like the device the other end may be at fault.
Another possibility is link negotiation error, and half duplex is running with high frame collisions.
Indeed connect to the switch and see what is happening on that port interface which might account for the sporadic nature of the alternate colours. You might need to manually/administratively assign full duplex in that port if showing as half duplex.

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Yes real backward step in the latest OS X versions, but easy to put back in

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Cheers Simon - much appreciated.

James

And did that drop the noise floor noticably - and did your jaw drop open with amazement?

I didn’t know sensible posts like these were allowed, but it’s great to know they are.

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Yes - annoyed me when they did that.

You can use HomeBrew to install it from within Terminal

/usr/bin/ruby -e “$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/master/install)”

brew install telnet

Hi @Michaelb, so what’s new with your Melco S100? Still improving? Will replace the ER?

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Still just impressions as it comes on song, but so far it’s not there on classical instrument textures - a characteristic of much low noise floor high-end equipment - and sometimes the soundstaging is a bit more special effect than real life, but I’m going to give it a little longer before coming to any judgments on its stock performance and then powering it with the Sean Jacobs power supply.

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FWIW some of the texture is improving today, but I’m going to hang fire for a few days and then get back in the listening impressions thread

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I have procurve 408, I bought it ‘new old stock’ for £12, £7 after I used a freebie ebay promotion. It came with a linear PSU, is very well built, solid case and works a treat. I can’t say how it compares to a Cisco catalyst as my Cisco never really got on with my streamer.

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I’ve just gone and bought one of these…CISCO WS-C2960CG-8TC-L. The seller claims it has been factory reset, but not sure if that is a console reset so I’ll check that. Other than that is there anything I need to do to configure it to work correctly?

I am also planning to replace a long run of bog standard Cat5e with this…Premium Belden 1303E CATSNAKE Cat6a Ethernet Network Cable. It’s an under floorboards and ground to first floor job, so only want to do this once and don’t really have the opportunity to test alternatives. What does the panel think?

Thanks

I think very highly of that cable. It’s the best I’ve heard in my system and much more natural to my mind than the Audioquest Vodka, Wireworld Platinum or Sablon Super Panatela. It’s quite flexible and has a very robust sheath for broadcast use, so should be good under the floor. I have always used it floating.

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I used this switch for a while. It’s a GB switch so I think it loses SQ gains compared to the Fast variety but it still sounds good. As you say, as long as it has been reset to default you only need to connect your cables to any of the 1-8 ports and you should be good.

Here’s a good reference to all the Cicco models and specs.

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Hi WW,

In terms of structural network wiring I would not bother - ASSUMING that the wire does not plug directly into your endpoint device but into a switch/hub. The final patch cable is the one I would experiment with.

M

If the switch is factory reset, it will just work. It will take a little time to start up compared to an unmanaged switch, so just wait a few minutes for the lights on the front to settle. Then plug everything in and you’re done.
If you’re thinking of changing the cable, I would run the potential replacement loose and try it out first. You can’t predict how it will perform for you based on reports of how it works in a different environment.

Thanks for the advice all.

Umm, my ISP router and music server (Audiostore Prestige) are in my study/ home office which is upstairs, whereas my NAC 272/250.2/ProAcD20R and a sprinkling of Sean Jacob’s magic reside downstairs. The Cisco was going to go upstairs too hence the cable to the 272 will be perhaps 30m so ruling out some of the high end ones due to cost.

I know, I know the server and switch should be downstairs and maybe the router too but my hi-fi rack is full already and I don’t think it would be domestically acceptable for it to spill over onto the coffee table.

I think I am just going to have to give it a try and maybe mover things around to get the switch closer to the 272 so I can use shorter final cables another time.