why use a ip address for a switch

[dave99999]

I am curious as to why you would use a ip address for a switch?

Is it just used for remote access or is there another reason why you would use one?

thanks,

---Dave

[Kevin Dorrell]

It is principally for remote access and other management functions such as NTP, syslog, etc. It is used for other things, to identify the switch; for example the "VTP last requester" is an IP address. But as far as the layer-2 switching function is concerned, the switch's IP address is not essential.

Kevin Dorrell

Luxembourg

[uys_p]

Yes, of course apart from remote access such as telnet ssh etc, for proper management of key devices such as switches in your network, the management stations (NMS) be it OpenView or CiscoWorks or any other, need to manage to a proper IP address for snmp runs, MIB updates, firmware updates and as mentioned syslogging, rmon etc. especially when monitoring accross a routed network, where MAC addresses of these switch devices are not broadcasted directly to the NMS NIC when in the same subnet (VLAN).