Enabling ssh on the switch and anticipating ssh, Client contact behavior -15 – HP 4100GL User Manual

Page 99

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Configuring Secure Shell (SSH)

Configuring the Switch for SSH Operation

Hexadecimal
"Fingerprints" of
the Same Switch

Phonetic "Hash" of Switch’s Public Key

Figure 4-11. Examples of Visual Phonetic and Hexadecimal Conversions of the Switch’s Public Key

The two commands shown in figure 4-11 convert the displayed format of the
switch’s (host) public key for easier visual comparison of the switch’s public
key to a copy of the key in a client’s "known host" file. The switch has only one
RSA host key. The 'babble' and 'fingerprint' options produce two hashes for
the key--one that corresponds to the challenge hash you will see if connecting
with a v1 client, and the other corresponding to the hash you will see if
connecting with a v2 client. These hashes do not correspond to different keys,
but differ only because of the way v1 and v2 clients compute the hash of the
same RSA key. The switch always uses ASCII version (without babble or
fingerprint conversion) of its public key for file storage and default display
format.

4. Enabling SSH on the Switch and Anticipating SSH

Client Contact Behavior

T

he

ip ssh command enables or disables SSH on the switch and modifies

parameters the switch uses for transactions with clients. After you enable
SSH, the switch can authenticate itself to SSH clients.

N o t e

Before enabling SSH on the switch you must generate the switch’s public/
private key pair. If you have not already done so, refer to “2. Generating the
Switch’s Public and Private Key Pair” on page 4-10
.

When configured for SSH, the switch uses its host public-key to authenticate
itself to SSH clients. If you also want SSH clients to authenticate themselves
to the switch you must configure SSH on the switch for client public-key
authentication at the login (Operator) level. To enhance security, you should
also configure local, TACACS+, or RADIUS authentication at the enable
(Manager) level.

4-15

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