Dell SmartFabric OS10 User Guide Release 10.5.4

Local user authentication without a password

When you configure OS10 SSH server for X.509v3 SSH local authentication, and when connecting using SSH, the following sequence occurs:

1. Insert a CAC or PIV smart card into the card reader slot in your computer or keyboard.
2. Start an RFC 6187 X.509v3 compatible SSH client application, set authentication to smart card or CAC, and make a connection to the OS10 switch.
3. The SSH client application makes the initial connection to the switch, negotiates X.509v3 authentication, and validates the OS10 switch X.509v3 certificate.
4. The SSH client application prompts you to select the required authentication certificate from the CAC or PIV card.
5. The SSH client application prompts you to enter the PIN for the CAC or PIV card.
6. The SSH client application sends an authentication request with the X.509v3 certificate.
7. The OS10 SSH server validates the public certificate, including validating the trust chain, valid date range, and usage fields. If any of the fields are invalid, the authentication fails.
8. If the configured OS10 security profile calls for revocation checking, the OS10 SSH server verifies that the certificate is not revoked. Verification is done by checking either the appropriate CRL or by sending an OCSP request to the appropriate OCSP responder.
9. If the certificate is revoked, the authentication fails.
10. The OS10 SSH server attempts to match the user certificate fields against the configured certificate for that local username.
11. If there is a match, the authentication succeeds and the SSH session proceeds without a password prompt.