How to manage switch infrastructure from PC not on VLAN1?

[CanEHdian]

Re-designing old hub network:

- core switches = two 3550s with L2 HSRP (one is cluster command, the other a standby)

- no Inter-VLAN routing configured (or necessary) at this time

- all other switches are 2950s

I don't want our main network (VLAN-42 which hosts all real-time servers and network monitoring stations) on the default Cisco VLAN-1 to minimize traffic chatter caused by BPDUs, etc...

Question: how do I monitor/configure my switched infrastructure (sitting on VLAN-1) from a monitoring station that is on VLAN-42? Must I purchase a new monitoring PC and specifically have it on VLAN-1?

Thanks in advance...

[paddyxdoyle]

Hi,

I think your options in order are

1. Configure intervlan routing for your VLAN42 and management VLAN, i believe its better practice not to use VLAN1 for management, leave VLAN one for management frames created by the Cisco switches instead use VLAN two or similar for inband access. If you are concerned about security, you can create access-lists either on the VTY line or on the VLAN interface permitting only your PC's IP telnet/ssh/SNMP access to your switches.

2. Add another network card to your PC and patch it into a dedicated switch port into your management VLAN, make sure your management VLAN is trunked between your switches.

3. Purchase an additional PC

HTH

Paddy