HP HPE7-A02 Based on Real Exam Environment

When setting up a ClearPass cluster, it is critical to ensure secure communication between the cluster nodes and the client devices. For this purpose, certain certificates must be properly configured.

1. Why HTTPS Requires a CA-Signed Certificate?

HTTPS communication is used for inter-cluster communication and for the web-based user interface that administrators use to manage the ClearPass cluster.

Before joining the cluster, it is strongly recommended to install a CA-signed HTTPS certificate on the Subscriber to ensure secure communication and prevent warnings/errors due to untrusted certificates.

Without a CA-signed certificate, the Subscriber might use a self-signed certificate, leading to security risks and lack of trust validation.

2. Analysis of Other Certificate Types

B. Database:

Incorrect: Database communications within ClearPass clusters are secured using internal certificates or keys. These are not user-facing and do not require a CA-signed certificate before joining the cluster.

C. RADIUS/EAP:

Incorrect: RADIUS/EAP certificates are important for client authentication, but they are not required on the Subscriber prior to cluster joining. These can be configured after the Subscriber is part of the cluster.

D. RadSec:

Incorrect: RadSec is an optional feature for secure RADIUS communication over TLS, and its certificate configuration is typically performed post-cluster setup.

Final Recommendation

To ensure secure cluster operations and seamless web-based management, a CA-signed HTTPS certificate should be installed on the Subscriber before it joins the ClearPass cluster.

References

ClearPass Deployment Guide for Version 6.9.

Best Practices for Certificate Management in ClearPass Clusters.

HPE Aruba ClearPass Cluster Configuration Guide.

When enabling Wireless IDS/IPS infrastructure and client detection at a high level on HPE Aruba Networking APs without enabling prevention settings, HPE Aruba Networking recommends configuring detection at a custom level and adjusting settings to minimize false positives. This approach allows for effective monitoring while reducing the risk of unnecessary alerts and maintaining the accuracy of detections.

1.Custom Level Configuration: By customizing the detection settings, you can tailor the system to your specific environment, ensuring that only relevant threats are detected and reducing false positives.

2.False Positive Reduction: Disabling or tuning settings that are likely to produce false positives helps in maintaining the reliability of the detection system and prevents alert fatigue.

3.Focused Detection: Custom configuration ensures that the IDS/IPS focuses on critical detections, improving overall security posture.

To prevent rogue OSPF routers in the network shown in the exhibit, the preferred configuration on Switch-2 is to configure OSPF authentication on Lag 1 in MD5 mode. This setup enhances security by ensuring that only routers with the correct MD5 authentication credentials can participate in the OSPF routing process. This method protects the OSPF sessions against unauthorized devices that might attempt to introduce rogue routing information into the network.

1.OSPF Authentication: Implementing MD5 authentication on Lag 1 ensures that OSPF updates are secured with a cryptographic hash. This prevents unauthorized OSPF routers from establishing peering sessions and injecting potentially malicious routing information.

2.Secure Communication: MD5 authentication provides a higher level of security compared to simple password authentication, as it uses a more robust hashing algorithm.

3.Applicability: Lag 1 is the primary link between Switch-1 and Switch-2, and securing this link helps protect the integrity of the OSPF routing domain.

The Network Analytics Engine (NAE) in AOS-CX switches provides intelligent monitoring, troubleshooting, and performance analysis through predefined or custom scripts. Here’s an analysis of the guidelines for NAE:

A. Each switch model has a maximum number of supported monitors, and one agent might have multiple monitors.

Correct:

Each AOS-CX switch model has hardware and software limitations, including the number of agents and monitors it supports.

Monitors are data collection points for tracking specific metrics like interface statistics, CPU usage, or custom-defined parameters.

Agents are scripts that use monitors to evaluate data, trigger actions, or generate alerts.

Since one agent can have multiple monitors, the total number of monitors might impact the scalability of agents.

B. You can install multiple scripts on a switch, but you can deploy only one agent per script.

Incorrect:

Multiple agents can be deployed from the same script if they monitor different parameters or have different configurations.

The limitation is usually related to the total number of agents and monitors supported by the switch model, not the script itself.

C. The switch will permit you to deploy as many NAE agents as you want, but they might degrade the switch functionality.

Incorrect:

AOS-CX enforces hardware and software limits on the number of agents and monitors. These limits are designed to prevent degradation of switch performance.

You cannot deploy an unlimited number of agents, as the system enforces these restrictions.

D. When you use custom scripts, you can create as many agents from each script as you want.

Incorrect:

While you can use custom scripts to create agents, the total number of agents is subject to the switch's maximum supported limits.

The scalability of agents is still bound by hardware and software constraints, even with custom scripts.

References

HPE Aruba AOS-CX Network Analytics Engine Configuration Guide.

Aruba AOS-CX Switch Series Technical Specifications.

Best Practices for NAE Deployment in AOS-CX Networks.