switch questions

[lenogris]

I have 4 omni switch/routers, I am trying to use whats connected to map out the network. I am able to get all the switch information, it shows all the ports, it shows everything about the switch, but whats plugged into the ports.

Whats connected shows almost all my computers but they show them all connected to hubs (which dont exist) then plugged into the router. In reality i have 1 back bone switch and one edge switch plugged into the router on those interfaces.

I can log into the switch and do and ipmac which shows all the computers and the ports they are plugged in to. I noticed in the arp cache on each switch only includes maybe 1 computer, and 1 switch. Even my servers which i know where they are plugged do not show up in the arp cache.

I am trying to work with the ipswitch tech support, but i suspect its not the program and the switches have some configuration that im missing. I can say that STP is enabled on each, which is what the tech seems to think is the problem. If it is the case STP can not be disabled as it causes a broadcast storm on the network.

The issue shows on 2 separate networks, both with identical equipment.

Anyway if any one has an idea im open, if you need some more info let me know i spend 12 hours a night sitting around mulling this over.

[datagnostic]

Originally Posted by lenogris

I can log into the switch and do and ipmac which shows all the computers and the ports they are plugged in to. I noticed in the arp cache on each switch only includes maybe 1 computer, and 1 switch. Even my servers which i know where they are plugged do not show up in the arp cache.

Switches don't do ARP translations, they are merely layer 2 devices. You might find some arp entries from the management sessions though.
You need to inspect the ARP table on your core (layer3) switch or your router.
Alternatively you can do a ping sweep for the an subnet on one of your PC's and get the ARP table there (arp -a)

Originally Posted by lenogris

I can say that STP is enabled on each, which is what the tech seems to think is the problem. If it is the case STP can not be disabled as it causes a broadcast storm on the network.

Leave STP enabled

[lenogris]

well the router does show almost everything on the network, but it shows them all connected to the 2 ports that are plugged into the switches. The program is supposed to get the ports all the computers are connected, but i think its getting that arp info from the router and then calling it good. I know the omniswitch/routers, can act as both switches our routers, though i dont really have any formal training on them. The navy would prefer me not to screw around with it, but i am trying to learn, and maybe make my life easier when t/s.

I have tried the ping sweep, i guess it works as the program gets all the devices on the network and their mac. Which allowed me to use that ipmac command and manually go though and match macs so i got a good list of all the ports and what spaces they were in. Only took 6 hours.

[datagnostic]

I think you need to look at the mac adress tables on your switches, not ARP tables.

There are some SNMP-based tools out there, that can handle this kind of thing for you. We use Switch Inspector, for example, but I'm sure you'll find free alternatives.

[lenogris]

yea, i ended up making my own list with the mac table, but i still wonder how this program is supposed to map out my network if it looks at arp cache and ping sweeps.

I did look into the switch inspector, but it is cisco stuff, and i have alcatel switchs. i know they have a program too, i just cannot seem to find it.

[datagnostic]

Originally Posted by lenogris

yea, i ended up making my own list with the mac table, but i still wonder how this program is supposed to map out my network if it looks at arp cache and ping sweeps.

You'll get a great network map once you put all that information (switches, ports and connected hosts) in a network diagram.