Security protocols provide endpoint authentication and communications privacy using
cryptography. Typically, you are authenticated to the switch while the switch remains
unauthenticated to you. This means that you can be sure with what you are communicating. The
next level of security, in which both ends of the conversation are sure with whom they are
communicating, is known as two-factor authentication. Two-factor authentication requires public
key infrastructure (PKI) deployment to clients.

Fabric OS supports the secure protocols shown in

Table 18

TABLE 18

Secure protocol support

Protocol

Description

HTTPS

HTTPS is a Uniform Resource Identifier scheme used to indicate a secure HTTP
connection. Web Tools supports the use of hypertext transfer protocol over secure
socket layer (HTTPS).

IPsec

Internet Protocol Security (IPsec) is a framework of open standards for providing
confidentiality, authentication and integrity for IP data transmitted over untrusted
links or networks.

LDAPS

Lightweight Directory Access Protocol over SSL uses a certificate authority (CA). By
default, LDAP traffic is transmitted unsecured. You can make LDAP traffic
confidential and secure by using Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) / Transport Layer
Security (TLS) technology in conjunction with LDAP.

SCP

Secure Copy (SCP) is a means of securely transferring computer files between a
local and a remote host or between two remote hosts, using the Secure Shell (SSH)
protocol. Configuration upload and download support the use of SCP.

SNMP

SNMP is used in network management systems to monitor network-attached
devices for conditions that warrant administrative attention. Supports SNMPv1, v2,
and v3.