Switch ports are the front line of network configuration and monitoring, and this episode walks through the most essential port settings. You'll learn how to assign ports to VLANs, configure speed and duplex, enable or disable ports, and label interfaces for better documentation. We also review the significance of auto-negotiation, port status LEDs, and default behaviors that can lead to communication failures when improperly configured.

The second half of the episode covers port mirroring using SPAN (Switched Port Analyzer), which allows administrators to capture and analyze traffic without disrupting the network. You’ll understand how to configure mirrored sessions, select ingress/egress directions, and monitor mirrored traffic with tools like Wireshark. Whether you’re troubleshooting, auditing, or securing the network, this episode teaches you how to get visibility where it matters.