A Tip From Kinetic Computer Services ...

Cannot use copper RJ-45 interface of combo gigabit ethernet ports of HP Procurve switch

Description of the Problem

You have an HP switch that has some 100 Mbps ethernet ports and one or more gigabit ethernet ports. The Gigabit ethernet ports are combo ports that have both RJ-45 copper and SFP fibre channel interfaces. You are unable to use the RJ-45 interfaces of these combo ports.

An example of such a switch is the HP 1910-24 JG538A. It has 24 100 Mbps ports numbered 1 through 24, plus two gigabit ports numbered 25 and 26. Ports 25 and 26 have both RJ-45 copper and SFP fibre channel interfaces. On this switch, you can use ports 1 through 24 successfully, but when you attach a device to the RJ-45 interface of ports 25 or 26, the link LED does not light, and the device cannot be reached via the network.

Cause

The gigabit ports are configured to use the fibre channel interface. This is the factory default setting.

Solution

Log into the switch's Web Management Platform using an internet browser. Choose Device -> Port Management from the main menu. Click on the Setup tab. Scroll down to the pictoral representation of the switch. Note that the gigabit ports are represented by SFP fibre channel interfaces, while the 100 Mbps ports are represented by copper RJ-45 interfaces.

Click on each of the gigabit ports on the picture. The "Selected Ports" section below the picture should show that you have selected the two gigabit ports. For example on the HP 1910 model, the selected ports will read "GE1/0/25-GE1/0/26". Now scroll up to the Basic Configuration section. Find the Combo dropdown. Change it to read Copper. Click the Apply button at the bottom of the page. Note that the picture now shows RJ-45 interfaces for the gigabit ports. You may now use those ports for RJ-45 ethernet connections.

Save your changes to the configuration by clicking the "Save" link at either the top right or top left corner of the screen.

This tip is a free service of Kinetic Computer Services - professional network consultants serving the Houston area since 1998.

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