Switch discovery tool cannot find the switch.

---

ribash wrote:

I have my switch connected to the router's ethernet port via cat5e cable. The lights are blinking on both connected ports (switch and router).
Router is an ATT Fiber modem+router (model: BGW 320-500)
However, I cannot connect to the switch.

Before running crazy: Convinced your switch is a G305E, and not a GS305 (without the trailing E), something like a GS305v5 according to the product label? 

While not relevant (the switch discovery is able to locate a healthy GS305E anyway):Your Mac is connected to the BGW 320-500 by an Ethernet cable or by WiFi, and the Mac IP address is assigned from the ATT router?

It sounds like you're facing connectivity issues between your router and the NETGEAR GS305E switch. Here are some troubleshooting steps you can try before considering changing the IP passthrough on your router:

1. Check Physical Connection:
   Ensure the CAT5e cable is securely connected to both the router and the switch. While the blinking lights indicate physical connectivity, it’s good to confirm the cable isn’t damaged.

2. Confirm Router IP Range:
   Your switch’s gateway IP is 192.168.1.254, which seems to be within the same subnet as the typical router IP range (likely 192.168.1.x). Ensure your router's DHCP server is assigning IPs in the same range (e.g., 192.168.1.x).

3. Ping the Switch:
   From your Mac, open the Terminal and try pinging the switch's IP (192.168.1.254) to see if it's reachable:

   ping 192.168.1.254

   If there's no response, there might be an issue with the network configuration.

4. Manually Set IP on Mac:
   You can manually assign an IP address to your Mac that’s in the same subnet as the switch (e.g., 192.168.1.100) and see if you can connect to it.

5. Ensure Discovery Tool Compatibility:
   Double-check that the switch discovery tool you’re using supports the NETGEAR GS305E and is compatible with macOS. Some tools may require specific configurations or may not detect certain devices if they’re not in the expected discovery mode.

6. Check for Firmware Updates:
   Visit NETGEAR's support page for your GS305E switch to ensure it’s running the latest firmware. Firmware bugs can sometimes cause issues with detection.

7. Bypass Router for Direct Connection:
   If you’re still unable to connect to the switch through the router, try connecting your Mac directly to the switch using the same CAT5e cable. This can rule out router-related issues.

These steps should help you identify the issue without needing to adjust IP passthrough settings on the router just yet. If the problem persists, you may need to explore further router configuration or network setup options.