Network Testing for Idiots

[hammyali]

Dear All

I have recently come into possession of 3 networking boxes via my work. They are:

Netgear Prosafe 16 Port Gs716
Netgear Prosafe 16 Port Fs116
Cisco Catalyst 3560 PoE 24

These items have come from buildings where they were in use so I expect the work fine, however all I can guarantee is that they all power up and the lights go on. So......as they are no good to me I intend on selling them on ebay, but to realise the best price it would make sense for me to test them. There is where the problem lies as I have no idea how to do so. I have looked on the Internet and it all seems quite complicated. So my question is, is there a simple way to test these items that someone like me would understand? I am not a computer idiot but I do not know how to do 'dos prompt' things. I just know how to use a computer, keep it running, do basic maintenance etc. So hence the title of this post, a simple idiots guide.

Anything you can tell me would be gratefully received. And thank you.

Hammyali

 

[pepp77]

Simplest test.


1. Plug it in and power it on.
2. Remove network cable from your PC and plug into switch.
3. Take a second network cable and plug it into a different port on the switch.
4. Plug other end of cable into your PC.

5. Do you have internet still, if yes port works.
6. Move cable connected to PC to a different port on the switch.
7. Repeat 5 then 6.

 

[Caged]

Your testing might not work for the Netgear GS716 if there are VLANs in it, and probably won't work for the Cisco which is quite likely to have them.

You can reset the IOS password but this involves a console cable.

 

[hammyali]

Thank you for your replies. Unfortunately I have no idea what a VLAN is or an IOS password but thanks anyway! I'll just put them on eBay as spares or repair as testing them looks to be tricky unless you know what you are doing.

 

[bledd]

If they turn on, they'll work..