---
title: "Configuring SSH, Serial and HTTP access on Catalyst switches"
slug: "configuring-ssh-serial-and-http-access-on-catalyst-switches"
updated: 2024-12-31T09:53:23Z
published: 2024-12-31T09:53:23Z
canonical: "docs.telosalliance.com/configuring-ssh-serial-and-http-access-on-catalyst-switches"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.telosalliance.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Configuring SSH, Serial and HTTP access on Catalyst switches

## Scope

Most enterprise networks do not allow or desire Telnet to be used for terminal access to the switch. SSH is a more secure and flexible method to gain access to the switch remotely. The guide below shows a basic configuration to support SSH version 2 connections.

### Global SSH Configuration

| **Switch>En** **Switch#** **Switch#conf t** **Enter configuration commands, one per line. End with CNTL/Z.** **Switch(config)#aaa new-model** **Switch(config)#username AAAA privilege 15 secret Livewire** **Switch(config)#ip http authentication local** **Switch(config)#ip domain-name AXIA.LOC** **Switch(config)#crypto key generate rsa** **The name for the keys will be: Switch.AXIA.LOC** **Choose the size of the key modulus in the range of 360 to 4096 for your** **General Purpose Keys. Choosing a key modulus greater than 512 may take** **a few minutes.** **How many bits in the modulus [512]: 1024** **% Generating 1024 bit RSA keys, keys will be non-exportable...** **[OK] (elapsed time was 4 seconds)** **Switch(config)#ip ssh version 2** **Switch(config)#line vty 0 15** **Switch(config-line)#transport input ssh** **Switch(config-line)#privilege level 15** **Switch(config-line)#exec-timeout 0 0** **Switch(config-line)#end** **Switch(config)#wr** **Building configuration...** **[OK]** |
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### No Password on Serial/USB Console Port

The serial port can be treated as an emergency way to gain access to your switch. For this reason, you may find it appropriate to omit any password requirements

| **Switch#conf t Switch(config)#line con 0 Switch(config-line)#no password Switch(config-line)#end Switch#wr Building configuration... [OK]** |
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