Specifications

SSL Settings
Extreme Networks EAS 100-24t Switch Software Manual
115
SSL Settings
Secure Sockets Layer or SSL is a security feature that will provide a secure communication path
between a host and client through the use of authentication, digital signatures and encryption. These
security functions are implemented through the use of a ciphersuite, which is a security string that
determines the exact cryptographic parameters, specific encryption algorithms and key sizes to be used
for an authentication session and consists of three levels:
1 Key Exchange: The first part of the cyphersuite string specifies the public key algorithm to be used.
This switch utilizes the Rivest Shamir Adleman (RSA) public key algorithm and the Digital
Signature Algorithm (DSA), specified here as the DHE DSS Diffie-Hellman (DHE) public key
algorithm. This is the first authentication process between client and host as they “exchange keys” in
looking for a match and therefore authentication to be accepted to negotiate encryptions on the
following level.
2 Encryption: The second part of the ciphersuite that includes the encryption used for encrypting the
messages sent between client and host. The Switch supports two types of cryptology algorithms:
a Stream Ciphers – There are two types of stream ciphers on the Switch, RC4 with 40-bit keys and
RC4 with 128-bit keys. These keys are used to encrypt messages and need to be consistent between
client and host for optimal use.
b CBC Block Ciphers – CBC refers to Cipher Block Chaining, which means that a portion of the
previously encrypted block of encrypted text is used in the encryption of the current block. The
Switch supports the 3DES EDE encryption code defined by the Data Encryption Standard (DES)
to create the encrypted text.
3 Hash Algorithm: This part of the ciphersuite allows the user to choose a message digest function
which will determine a Message Authentication Code. This Message Authentication Code will be
encrypted with a sent message to provide integrity and prevent against replay attacks. The Switch
supports two hash algorithms, MD5 (Message Digest 5) and SHA (Secure Hash Algorithm).
These three parameters are uniquely assembled in four choices on the Switch to create a three-
layered encryption code for secure communication between the server and the host. The user may
implement any one or combination of the ciphersuites available, yet different ciphersuites will affect
the security level and the performance of the secured connection. The information included in the
ciphersuites is not included with the Switch and requires downloading from a third source in a file
form called a certificate. This function of the Switch cannot be executed without the presence and
implementation of the certificate file and can be downloaded to the Switch by utilizing a TFTP
server. The Switch supports SSLv3 and TLSv1. Other versions of SSL may not be compatible with
this Switch and may cause problems upon authentication and transfer of messages from client to
host.
MAC Address Displays the physical address of the Switch where the port resides.
Auth PAE State The Authenticator State will display one of the following: Initialize,
Disconnected, Connecting, Authenticating, Authenticated, Aborting, Held,
ForceAuth, ForceUnauth, and N/A.
Backend_State The Backend State will display one of the following: Request, Response,
Success, Fail, Timeout, Idle, Initialize, and N/A.
Port Status The status of the controlled port can be Authorized, Unauthorized, or N/A.
Parameters Description