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Enabling FIPS Cryptography
Federal information processing standard (FIPS) cryptography provides cryptographic algorithms
conforming to various FIPS standards published by the National Institute of Standards and Technology
(NIST), a non-regulatory agency of the US Department of Commerce. FIPS mode is also validated for
numerous platforms to meet the FIPS-140-2 standard for a software-based cryptographic module.
This chapter describes how to enable FIPS cryptography requirements on Dell Networking platforms.
NOTE: The Dell Networking OS uses an embedded FIPS 140-2-validated cryptography module
(Certificate #1747) running on NetBSD 5.1 per FIPS 140-2 Implementation Guidance section G.5
guidelines.
NOTE: Only the following features use the embedded FIPS 140-2-validated cryptography module:
• SSH Client
• SSH Server
• RSA Host Key Generation
• SCP File Transfers
Currently, other features using cryptography do not use the embedded FIPS 140-2-validated
cryptography module.
Configuration Tasks
To configure and use FIPS cryptography on the switch, perform these tasks:
• Preparing the System
• Enabling FIPS Mode
• Generating Host-Keys
• Monitoring FIPS Mode Status
• Disabling FIPS Mode
Preparing the System
Before you enable FIPS mode, Dell Networking recommends making the following changes to your
system.
1. Disable the Telnet server (only use secure shell [SSH] to access the system).
2. Disable the FTP server (only use secure copy [SCP] to transfer files to and from the system).
3. Attach a secure, standalone host to the console port for the FIPS configuration to use.
Enabling FIPS Cryptography
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