Chapter 38 Access Control
GS2210 Series User’s Guide
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38.7.3 Introduction to HTTPS
HTTPS (HyperText Transfer Protocol over Secure Socket Layer, or HTTP over SSL) is a web protocol
that encrypts and decrypts web pages. Secure Socket Layer (SSL) is an application-level protocol
that enables secure transactions of data by ensuring confidentiality (an unauthorized party cannot
read the transferred data), authentication (one party can identify the other party) and data
integrity (you know if data has been changed).
It relies upon certificates, public keys, and private keys.
HTTPS on the Switch is used so that you may securely access the Switch using the web
configurator. The SSL protocol specifies that the SSL server (the Switch) must always authenticate
itself to the SSL client (the computer which requests the HTTPS connection with the Switch),
whereas the SSL client only should authenticate itself when the SSL server requires it to do so.
Authenticating client certificates is optional and if selected means the SSL-client must send the
Switch a certificate. You must apply for a certificate for the browser from a Certificate Authority
(CA) that is a trusted CA on the Switch.
Please refer to the following figure.
1 HTTPS connection requests from an SSL-aware web browser go to port 443 (by default) on the
Switch’s WS (web server).
2 HTTP connection requests from a web browser go to port 80 (by default) on the Switch’s WS (web
server).
Figure 235 HTTPS Implementation
Note: If you disable HTTP in the Service Access Control screen, then the Switch blocks all
HTTP connection attempts.
38.7.3.1 HTTPS Example
If you haven’t changed the default HTTPS port on the Switch, then in your browser enter “https://
Switch IP Address/” as the web site address where “Switch IP Address” is the IP address or domain
name of the Switch you wish to access.
Internet Explorer Warning Messages
Internet Explorer 6
