3.6
Switch Services
You can configure your switch to suit the demands of your environment by enabling or disabling a variety of switch services. Familiarize yourself with the following switch services and determine which ones you need. Notice that the SSH and SSL services require the Fabric Security license key.
Telnet: Provides for the management of the switch over a Telnet connection. Disabling this service is not recommended. The default is enabled.
Secure Shell (SSH): Provides for secure remote connections to the switch using SSH. Your workstation must also use an SSH client. The default is disabled. This service requires the Fabric Security license key.
GUI Management: Provides for out-of-band management of the switch with Enterprise Fabric Suite 2007, the Application Programming Interface (API), SNMP, and SMI-S. If this service is disabled, the switch can only be managed inband or through the serial port. The default is enabled.
Inband Management: Provides for the management of the switch over an inter-switch link using Enterprise Fabric Suite 2007, SNMP, management server, or the API. If you disable inband management, you can no longer communicate with that switch by means other than an Ethernet or serial connection.The default is enabled.
Secure Socket Layer (SSL): Provides for secure SSL connections for Enterprise Fabric Suite 2007, the QuickTools web applet, the API, and SMI-S. This service must be enabled to authenticate users through a RADIUS server when using Enterprise Fabric Suite 2007. To enable secure SSL connections, you must first synchronize the date and time on the switch and workstation. Enabling SSL automatically creates a security certificate on the switch. The default is enabled. This service requires the Fabric Security license key.
QuickTools web applet (EmbeddedGUI): Provides for access to the QuickTools web applet. QuickTools enables you to point at a switch with an internet browser and manage the switch through the browser. The default is enabled.
Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP): Provides for the management of the switch through third-party applications that use the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP). Security consists of a read community string and a write community string that serve as passwords that control read and write access to the switch. These strings are set at the factory to these well-known defaults and should be changed if SNMP is to be enabled. Otherwise, you risk unwanted access to the switch. The default is enabled.
