Does the management port of a data center switch require surge protection?

Although the management port (Console/Ethernet management port) of the data center switch does not handle business data, it is still exposed to the risk of lightning strikes due to the connection of maintenance terminals. According to the IEC61000-4-5 standard, it must meet the ±1kV surge protection requirement for signal ports. The solution uses a 3R090L-6X8 gas discharge tube (DC breakdown voltage 90V, current capacity 5kA) connected in parallel to the center tap of the transformer to discharge common-mode surges to the chassis ground. An ESDLC3V3D3B TVS (VRWM=3.3V, junction capacitance 1.2pF) is connected between the differential line pairs on the PHY side to clamp the differential mode residuals. The measured 1kV/42Ω combined surge test showed no communication interruption and a bit error rate of <10⁻⁹. The surge protection of the management port can avoid on-site repairs caused by remote maintenance interruptions.