Discussing network configuration challenges or questions.
Discussing network configuration challenges or questions.
Hello! Your goal is to configure a 10GbE Base-T network setup. You're using a Netgear X10 connected to an XS708E managed switch, and you plan to add two unmanaged switches in separate rooms. You're wondering if you can view or modify networking settings like static IP addresses for devices on the unmanaged switches through the managed switch or router console. Let me know if you need further clarification!
Static IP addresses are controlled at the device level, not the switch or router. Their IPs remain visible client-side, while port management stays with the managed switch and router. If the switch is managed, changes affect connected devices on the unmanaged switch as well. As a layer 2 device, the switch doesn’t display IPs directly; you’ll see them via the router instead.
Well, if you're trying to assign them all by hand, you'd have to adjust each device individually. This isn't something you'd modify on the router or switches. The key step when setting everything manually is configuring the DHCP pool correctly. In theory, if you're doing it yourself, you could disable DHCP entirely, but I wouldn't suggest that. A better approach is to configure the DHCP pool so it starts or ends at a specific point in your address range. For instance, with a 192.168.1.x network, you might set the pool from 192.168.1.150 to 192.168.1.254. This way, you get usable addresses like 192.168.1.1 through 192.168.1.149 for manual assignment without conflicts, while still allowing DHCP to supply IPs to devices that need them. You can fine-tune the pool size based on how many static addresses you require. Personally, I run my DHCP pool from 192.168.1.2 to 192.168.1.220 so I have a range such as 192.168.1.221 through 192.168.1.254 available for fixed IPs—like my PC, NAS, access points, and printers—whose IPs I know are set manually. EDIT: To be clear about the router and switch side: Switches ignore IP addresses unless they're advanced layer 3 devices; they simply use MAC addresses. The router, provided its settings are accurate (correct subnet, gateway), doesn't matter whether an address is static or DHCP-assigned. It will still direct traffic properly. If you need external access to a device, you'll likely have to forward ports on the router to that local IP, making manual assignment useful so port forwarding remains reliable.