User manual

Chapter 3: Qube 3 Services
62 Cobalt Qube 3 User Manual
At the network level, the first time the browser connects to a server, the browser
stores the server’s certificate. This is the encryption part of the secure connection.
Each time the browser “thinks” that it is communicating with this same server, it
verifies that this same certificate is used to assure the secure connection.
At a higher level, a server’s certificate is “signed” by a trusted external authority
that the browser knows about, such as VeriSign. This is the authentication part of
the secure connection. The server information (country, state, city, organization)
is encoded into the certificate and certificate request. The external authority signs
your request and guarantees that your server information is legitimate.
For example, if a Web site sends a signed certificate saying that it comes from
Cobalt Networks in Mountain View, California, United States, the end user can
trust (due to the signed certificate from the external authority) that this Web site is
indeed run by this company located in this city.
A self-signed certificate is a certificate that has not been signed by an external
authority. A self-signed certificate simply ensures that an encrypted Web
connection is in place; it does NOT provide authentication to a user that the
server is who they say they are.
On the Qube 3, a self-signed certificate is generated by the Qube 3 during
configuration.
For more information on authentication, encryption and secure sockets layer,
refer to Appendix G, “Glossary”.
Install software
You can add new software to the Qube 3 through the browser interface. You can
install new software obtained either from the Cobalt Networks Web site or from a
CD supplied by Cobalt Networks. You can also add third-party software.
For more information, see “BlueLinQ” on page 190.
Simple Network Management
Protocol (SNMP)
Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) is a network management
protocol used almost exclusively in TCP/IP networks. SNMP provides a means to
monitor and control network devices, and to manage configurations, statistics
collection, performance and security on a network.