HP 6120XG HP ProCurve Series 6120 Blade Switches Access Security Guide - Page 311

To Generate or Erase the Switch’s Server Certificate with the CLI, show config, write memory

Page 311 highlights

Note: Configuring Secure Socket Layer (SSL) Configuring the Switch for SSL Operation to connect via SSL to the switch. (The session key pair mentioned above is not visible on the switch. It is a temporary, internally generated pair used for a particular switch/client session, and then discarded.) The server certificate is stored in the switch's flash memory. The server certificate should be added to your certificate folder on the SSL clients who you want to have access to the switch. Most browser applications automati­ cally add the switch's host certificate to there certificate folder on the first use. This method does allow for a security breach on the first access to the switch. (Refer to the documentation for your browser application.) There are two types of certificated that can be used for the switch's host certificate. The first type is a self-signed certificate, which is generated and digitally signed by the switch. Since self-signed certificates are not signed by a third-party certificate authority, there is no audit trail to a root CA certificate and no fool-proof means of verifying authenticity of certificate. The second type is a certificate authority-signed certificate, which is digitally signed by a certificate authority, has an audit trail to a root CA certificate, and can be verified unequivocally There is usually a fee associated with receiving a verified certificate and the valid dates are limited by the root certificate authority issuing the certificate. When you generate a certificate key pair and/or certificate on the switch, the switch places the key pair and/or certificate in flash memory (and not in running config). Also, the switch maintains the certificate across reboots, including power cycles. You should consider this certificate to be "perma­ nent"; that is, avoid re-generating the certificate without a compelling reason. Otherwise, you will have to re-introduce the switch's host certificate on all management stations you have set up for SSL access to the switch using the earlier certificate. Removing (zeroizing) the switch's certificate key pair or certificate render the switch unable to engage in SSL operation and automatically disables SSL on the switch. (To verify whether SSL is enabled, execute show config.) To Generate or Erase the Switch's Server Certificate with the CLI Because the host certificate is stored in flash instead of the running-config file, it is not necessary to use write memory to save the certificate. Erasing the host certificate automatically disables SSL. 8-9

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Configuring Secure Socket Layer (SSL)
Configuring the Switch for SSL Operation
to connect via SSL to the switch. (The session key pair mentioned above is
not visible on the switch. It is a temporary, internally generated pair used for
a particular switch/client session, and then discarded.)
The server certificate is stored in the switch’s flash memory. The server
certificate should be added to your certificate folder on the SSL clients who
you want to have access to the switch. Most browser applications automati-
cally add the switch’s host certificate to there certificate folder on the first
use. This method does allow for a security breach on the first access to the
switch. (Refer to the documentation for your browser application.)
There are two types of certificated that can be used for the switch’s host
certificate. The first type is a self-signed certificate, which is generated and
digitally signed by the switch. Since self-signed certificates are not signed by
a third-party certificate authority, there is no audit trail to a root CA certificate
and no fool-proof means of verifying authenticity of certificate. The second
type is a certificate authority-signed certificate, which is digitally signed by a
certificate authority, has an audit trail to a root CA certificate, and can be
verified unequivocally
Note:
There is usually a fee associated with receiving a verified certificate and the
valid dates are limited by the root certificate authority issuing the certificate.
When you generate a certificate key pair and/or certificate on the switch, the
switch places the key pair and/or certificate in flash memory (and not in
running config). Also, the switch maintains the certificate across reboots,
including power cycles. You should consider this certificate to be “perma-
nent”; that is, avoid re-generating the certificate without a compelling reason.
Otherwise, you will have to re-introduce the switch’s host certificate on all
management stations you have set up for SSL access to the switch using the
earlier certificate.
Removing (zeroizing) the switch's certificate key pair or certificate render the
switch unable to engage in SSL operation and automatically disables SSL on
the switch. (To verify whether SSL is enabled, execute
show config
.)
To Generate or Erase the Switch’s Server Certificate
with the CLI
Because the host certificate is stored in flash instead of the running-config
file, it is not necessary to use
write memory
to save the certificate. Erasing the
host certificate automatically disables SSL.
8-9