this post was submitted on 23 Jan 2025
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Ghost ports (lemmy.world)
submitted 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) by westo232 to c/sysadmin
 

In the middle of a live VLAN readressing of a 200-node company, I encountered this gem. The ports just kept blinking on even after plugging out the cables. (HP aruba 24 port switch)

One turned off after a reboot.

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[–] [email protected] 32 points 2 days ago (3 children)

Does... Does nobody see the clear arrows showing these are indicators for the ports below?

[–] [email protected] 6 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

Who are you, who are so wise in the ways of science?

[–] WindyRebel 5 points 2 days ago

Should probably check that #5 cable or port…

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 days ago

Those are just designating which port is where. Each port usually has its own lights.

[–] Blaster_M 146 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (4 children)

The lights are combined link/act, not separate link act. left for upper side, right for lower side. 2 and 4 are blinking, 1 and 3 (the empty ports) are not.

[–] [email protected] 81 points 3 days ago (1 children)

This guy networks.

The lights are even labeled...

[–] thermal_shock 10 points 3 days ago (1 children)

client had 2 near identical switches, one had LEDs on each port, one had LEDs all on top, I was looking at each port wondering why they weren't lighting up and thinking they were disabled in admin panel. took me a few minutes, I was an idiot that day.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 3 days ago (1 children)

By the authority conferred to me through the “ownership” of approximately 25cm^2 of Scottish highland from a well-intentioned holiday present, I’m invoking my right as a Lord to grant you a pass on that one.
It would take me a few minutes, too

[–] [email protected] 3 points 3 days ago (1 children)

As a Glencoe lord I support this.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 days ago

The council has spoken.

They may go forth, unburdened.

[–] [email protected] 12 points 3 days ago (1 children)

So #5 is disconnected on the other end, right?

[–] orris 7 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Yes, or the systems etc. Or the port is disabled if the switch has the ability.

[–] abigscaryhobo 2 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Could've also just caught the photo in a flash of down activity depending. Still tho.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 3 days ago

It's a gif and the LED is permanently off.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Port 4 is slightly pulled out, you can see the cable difference between 2and4. which I think is what OP was getting at.

It's probably touching just enough pins to keep active

[–] orris 4 points 3 days ago (1 children)

It doesn’t seem to be, they look like different cables, look at the strain relief after the clear part, looks like a different pattern and shorter. They are probably both fully seated.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 days ago

Hmm maybe I was wrong. Either way I think we can both agree this is everything just working normally...

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 days ago

Really? I've never seen that. In my experience, those labels are for the ports themselves, not the lights.

[–] [email protected] 23 points 3 days ago (1 children)
[–] sudo42 2 points 2 days ago

It's like people have never heard of wireless networking. Sheesh.

/s

[–] [email protected] 18 points 3 days ago

The ports are numbered with arrows. Port one’s LED is on the left, port two is beneath port one and has its LED on the right. The two blinking above open ports are for even-numbered ports that are actively plugged in on the bottom row. I dunno why the LED for port five isn’t blinking; maybe the other end of the cable is connected to a device that is powered off.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 3 days ago

Who ya gonna call?

[–] [email protected] 8 points 3 days ago

Someone‘s probably just using those ports wirelessy!

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 days ago

Idk why but this gif is art to me

[–] computergeek125 5 points 3 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

The Netgear M4300 I got works like that, it's a feature not a bug. There's no link lights on the bottom, so the top row does the ports in alternate left/right patterns matching the label on the case right above the light.

Edit: a word

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

It's the vengeful spirit of that 2012 mac mini that I put out of its misery last year!

[–] owenfromcanada 2 points 3 days ago

Listen, the ghosts gotta get online somehow

[–] [email protected] 0 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

That's normal.

The switch doesn't immediately detect that there is nothing plugged in. It keeps transmitting.

Edit: the lights are not even lit if you look closer

[–] QProphecy 0 points 3 days ago (1 children)
[–] Leeks 19 points 3 days ago (2 children)

Actually it’s by design! Right side is for the lower ports, that’s why there’s the number with an arrow above it.

[–] LifeInMultipleChoice 3 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

Yeah, which is how we know that 5 isn't patched into a machine, (likely goes to patch panel, then through the walls to an office/cubical with no machine connected to that port.)... Often means someone was fired and not replaced, or else the patch would be swapped to another place if they replaced the user and placed them elsewhere.

(Doesn't have to be that, could be other things of course, like a laptop someone took home, a dead VoIP phone... A disconnected media station, etc)

[–] QProphecy -3 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

Okay Oscar

Edit: Oscar Martinez?

[–] [email protected] -1 points 3 days ago (1 children)

"Who's been looking at 1800's ankle porn on my PC?"

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 days ago

Not sure why people are downvoting, uncovered ankles were indecent in those days. IIRC there’s even a mention in ’Dracula’ when Mina goes outside at night to run after Lucy.