Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for configuring a network device. The system and method involves a network device that includes an external button for toggling the device between a managed mode and an unmanaged mode. When the device is toggled to a managed mode, an Internet Protocol (IP) address is temporarily assigned to the device and the device may be remotely configured. After configuration, the device can be returned to an unmanaged state, and the IP address assigned to the device is cleared. During the period that the device is in a managed state, an external indicator on the device is turned on to confirm that the device is in a managed state.

Abstract: A technique for handling a service request in an information handling system includes receiving, at a data link layer device, a packet transmitted from a client, the data link layer device including multiple ports. The packet is examined to determine whether the packet includes a first-type request. The packet is then routed to a server via a trusted port, included within the multiple ports, when the packet includes the first-type request.

Abstract: A method for automatically detecting a port configuration mismatch between a switch and its peer switch comprises listening, by the switch, to its peer switch's advertisement of its duplex setting, generating a warning notification in response to the peer switch advertising as capable of only operating at half duplex and the switch being set to an auto-negotiate setting, and transmitting the warning notification to a user.