For logging program messages, there’s a standard called Syslog. Syslog allows communication between the software that generates messages from the system that stores them and the software that reports and analyzes them.

Normally, Syslog provides three client modes: client only, server only, and both. When the mode is set as client only, the system event log will only be sent to the client who has logged in on the switch. When the mode is set as server only, the system log will only be sent to the Syslog server, according to the IP address in the Syslog Server IP Address column that user assigned. If the mode is set as both, the system log will be sent to client and server.

When devices are unable to communicate, Syslog also provides means to notify administrators of problems or performance. Administrators are able to receive the event log, which is set to be sent to system log server/SMTP server.

SMTP stands for Simple Mail Transfer Protocol, which is an Internet standard for e-mail transmission across Internet Protocol networks. Nowadays, SMTP is a widely used protocol. Typically, SMTP is used to send and receive mail messages by electronic mail servers and other mail transfer agents, but it is only used for sending messages to a mail server for relaying by user-level client mail applications.

All Lantech managed switches and smart-ring switches fully support Syslog and SMTP. Not only when there’s a system event such as device cold start, device warm start, authentication failure, or X-ring topology change, but also when there’s a port event such as link up, link down, or link up & link down. In conclusion, Syslog and SMTP provide a basic protection for Ethernet connection.