5
USING THE SWITCH DATABASE
What is the Switch 
Database?
The Switch Database is used by the Switch to determine where a packet 
should be forwarded to, and which port should transmit the packet if it is 
to be forwarded. 
The database contains a list of entries — each entry contains three items:
■ MAC (Ethernet) address information of the endstation that sends 
packets to the Switch.
■ Port identifier, that is the port attached to the endstation that is 
sending the packet.
■ VLAN ID of the VLAN to which the endstation belongs.
For details of the number of addresses supported by your Switch 
database, please refer to Chapter 1 of the Getting Started Guide that 
accompanies your Switch.
For detailed descriptions of the Web interface operations and the 
Command Line Interface (CLI) commands that you require to manage the 
Switch please refer to the Management Interface Reference Guide 
supplied in HTML format on the CD-ROM that accompanies your Switch.
How Switch 
Database Entries 
Get Added
Entries are added to the Switch Database in one of two ways:
■ The Switch can learn entries. The Switch updates its database with the 
source MAC address of the endstation that sent the packet, the VLAN 
ID, and the port identifier on which the packet is received.
■ You can enter and update entries using the management interface via 
the Bridge > Address Database Web interface operation, or an SNMP 
Network Manager.