Configuring Secure Shell (SSH)

Further Information on SSH Client Public-Key Authentication

For example, if you wanted to copy a client public-key file named clientkeys.txt from a TFTP server at 10.38.252.195 and then display the file contents:

Key Index Number

Figure 6-15. Example of Copying and Displaying a Client Public-Key File Containing Two Client Public Keys

Replacing or Clearing the Public Key File. The client public-key file remains in the switch’s flash memory even if you erase the startup-config file, reset the switch, or reboot the switch.

You can remove the existing client public-key file or specific keys by executing the clear crypto public-keycommand.

Syntax: clear crypto client-public-key

Deletes the client-public-key file from the switch.

Syntax: clear crypto client-public-key 3

Deletes the entry with an index of 3 from the client-public-key file on the switch.

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.

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