The Secure Shell (SSH) security feature provides a secure encrypted communications method between a client and the switch providing data privacy and integrity that is an alternative to the unsecure Telnet protocol. Using SSH the entire session is encrypted, including the transmission of user names and passwords, and negotiated between a client and server both configured with the SSH protocol. Telnet sessions are insecure. All data is sent unencrypted. Use SSH instead of Telnet when the security of login and data transmission is a concern.
The S- K- and 7100-Series devices support both public key and password authentication methods.