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Cisco ME 3400 Ethernet Access Switch Software Configuration Guide
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Chapter 7 Configuring Switch-Based Authentication Configuring the Switch for Secure Copy Protocol
For more information about these commands, see the “Secure Shell Commands” section in the “Other
Security Features” chapter of the Cisco IOS Security Command Reference, Cisco IOS Release 12.2, at
this URL:
http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/sw/iosswrel/ps1835/products_command_reference_chapter0918
6a00800ca7cd.html
Configuring the Switch for Secure Copy Protocol
The Secure Copy Protocol (SCP) feature provides a secure and authenticated method for copying switch
configurations or switch image files. SCP relies on Secure Shell (SSH), an application and a protocol
that provides a secure replacement for the Berkeley r-tools.
For SSH to work, the switch needs an RSA public/private key pair. This is the same with SCP, which
relies on SSH for its secure transport.
Because SSH also relies on AAA authentication, and SCP relies further on AAA authorization, correct
configuration is necessary.
• Before enabling SCP, you must correctly configure SSH, authentication, and authorization on the
switch.
• Because SCP relies on SSH for its secure transport, the router must have an Rivest, Shamir, and
Adelman (RSA) key pair.
Note When using SCP, you cannot enter the password into the copy command. You must enter the password
when prompted.

Information About Secure Copy

To configure the Secure Copy feature, you should understand these concepts.
• The behavior of SCP is similar to that of remote copy (rcp), which comes from the Berkeley r-tools
suite, except that SCP relies on SSH for security. SCP also requires that authentication,
authorization, and accounting (AAA) authorization be configured so the router can determine
whether the user has the correct privilege level.
• A user who has appropriate authorization can use SCP to copy any file in the Cisco IOS File System
(IFS) to and from a switch by using the copy command. An authorized administrator can also do
this from a workstation.
For more information on how to configure and verify SCP, see the “Secure Copy Protocol” chapter of
the Cisco IOS New Features, Cisco IOS Release 12.2, at this URL:
http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/sw/iosswrel/ps1839/products_feature_guide09186a0080087b18
.html