6-26
Configuring Secure Shell (SSH)
Further Information on SSH Client Public-Key Authentication
Enabling Client Public-Key Authentication. After you TFTP a client-
public-key file into the switch (described above), you can configure the switch
to allow one of the following:
■ If an SSH client’s public key matches the switch’s client-public-key
file, allow that client access to the switch. If there is not a public-key
match, then deny access to that client.
■ If an SSH client’s public key does not have a match in the switch’s
client-public-key file, allow the client access if the user can enter the
switch’s login (Operator) password. (If the switch does not have an
Operator password, then deny access to that client.
With login public-key local configured, if the switch does not have an Operator-
level password, it blocks client public-key access to SSH clients whose private
keys do not match a public key in the switch’s client-public-key file.
Caution To enable client public-key authentication to block SSH clients whose public
keys are not in the client-public-key file copied into the switch, you must
configure the Login Secondary as none. Otherwise, the switch allows such
clients to attempt access using the switch’s Operator password.
Syntax: aaa authentication ssh login public-key none
Allows SSH client access only if the switch detects a match
between the client’s public key and an entry in the client-
public-key file most recently copied into the switch.
aaa authentication ssh login public-key local
Allows SSH client access if there is a public key match (see
above) or if the client’s user enters the switch’s login (Oper-
ator) password.