Methods and systems for remotely managing a switching device are provided. According to one embodiment the existence of a firewall security device within a network is automatically determined by a discovery module of a switching device. Upon determining the existence of the firewall security device, a command channel is established with the firewall security device by a communication module of the switching device. The switching device may then receive commands issued by the firewall security device through the command channel relating to configuration of one or more Virtual Local Area Networks (VLANs).