
Section 5
Security
Safeguard Engine Trusted Host
Port Security
DHCP Server Screening Settings 802.1X
SSL Settings
SSH
Access Authentication Control
Safeguard Engine
Periodically, malicious hosts on the network will attack the Switch by utilizing packet flooding (ARP Storm) or other methods. These attacks may increase the Safeguard Engine beyond its capability. To alleviate this problem, the Safeguard Engine function was added to the Switch’s software.
The Safeguard Engine can help the overall operability of the Switch by minimizing the workload of the Switch while the attack is ongoing, thus making it capable to forward essential packets over its network in a limited bandwidth. When the Switch either (a) receives too many packets to process or (b) exerts too much memory, it will enter an Exhausted mode. When in this mode, the Switch only receives a small amount of ARP or IP broadcast packets for a calculated time interval. Every five seconds, the Switch will check to see if there are too many packets flooding the Switch. If the threshold has been crossed, the Switch will do a rate limit and only allow a small amount of ARP and IP broadcast packets for five seconds. After another
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