how do I create a vlan?

Create the VLAN on the switch then add the ports to each VLAN.

Are you trying to route between the vlans? Is the Dell switch L3? If so, you will  need to create the 3 vlan interfaces as above. Additionally, you said four segments, but I only see 3 listed.

(powerconnect 3448p) I created vlan7 added port 16 to its member ship and now I can no longer log into the web interface. but the network is still running.... so far

is the computer that browses the web interface a member of vlan7?  only the members of the same vlan can see each other.

Have a look at this from Dell:

http://www.dell.com/downloads/global/products/pwcnt/en/howto_config_private_vlans.pdf

Does this fit your needs?

wwakefield: reviewing the pdf now

bpanowtv: not trying to browse the new vlan7 just trying (unsuccessfully) to browse the switch where I created the vlan. I think I need to delete the new vlan & start again but I cannot connect to the switch via the browser anymore to do it

Note that you probably have one of the VLANS set as the "MANAGEMENT" or "Manage From" VLAN.   Try the same thing from the different VLAN Ports.

Sirius7,

I think your switch is only a L2 switch, so unless you have something to provide routing for your vlans, it is not going to happen. Do you have a router on site or L3 switch?

I plugged directly into the port I assigned to the new vlan and no luck.

I did not say that very well.   If I have three VLANS on a switch, I can designate one of those VLANS to be the management VLAN.   For example if I had VLAN1 VLAN2 and VLAN3, I could designate that I could only manage from VLAN1.  I would not be able to do it from the other 2.   So perhaps that is not set with the ability to manage from that particular VLAN>

Soula: You are correct in your assumption except I didnt configure the port. I had just finished creating and then assigning and then realzed I had not specified its scheme and tried to refresh my browser then all of a sudden I cant get back in and my unix command line knowledge sux!. I want to delete the damn vlan and start fresh

I dont want to reset the switch to factory default (company loses about 30 seconds in production time)

Console access with serial cable?

yeah but its still unix. right? I can telnet from the desktop but just no browser access but its also unix.

You should be able to hyperterm in through a serial cable. You will probably have the same results with telnet as the web interface.

The manual is linked on the rights side of this page.   It details both telnet over tcpip and hyperterm through a serial cable.  It is not unix, but a unique language.

http://www.dell.com/us/en/bpi/networking/pwcnt_3448/pd.aspx?refid=pwcnt_3448&s=bpi

One more time on this one.   If you know which ports are VLAN 1, you can probably still web interface using that one.  If the switch is no longer issuing DHCP, you may need to set a staic IP on the laptop and make sure you can ping the switch before attempting cnnect.

what are the command thru telnet to delete a vlan?

ok so I have reset the switch back to default and completed the following:
console(config)# ip http authentication local
console(config)# username admin password user1 level 15

so now Im back in

Good stuff....     Does that get you back on track?

i f I knew how to set up a vlan but it just sets me back to where I was.

So to create 2 additional vlans:

en
config
vlan database
vlan 2
vlan 3

Now you will have 3 vlans: vlan 1 which is your management vlan. Don't change it, so you can continue to access the switch. Vlan 2 and vlan 3 for other devices.
Then just assign the port you want to the vlan you prefer:

config
interface ethernet x/x
switchport access vlan x