Richard A Steenbergen <ras@e-gerbil.net> writes:
You've never seen a single port go bad on a switch? I can't even count the number of times I've seen that happen. Not that I'm not suggesting the OP wasn't the victim of a human error like unplugging the wrong port and they just lied to him, that happens even more.
I know it happens; it's happened to me, and I have probably touched fewer switches than you. Still, from what I can understand, it can be prevented/minimized by the use of a grounded port. from: http://support.3com.com/documents/switches/baseline/3Com-Switch-Family_Safet... "CAUTION: If you want to install the Switch using a Category 5E or Category 6 cable, 3Com recommends that you briefly connect the cable to a grounded port before you connect to the network equipment. If you do not, the cable’s electrostatic discharge (ESD) may damage the Switch's port. You can create a grounded port by connecting all wires at one end of a UTP cable to an earth ground point, and the other end to a female RJ-45 connector located, for example, on a Switch rack or patch panel. The RJ-45 connector is now a grounded port."