Secure Shell (SSH) is the recommended protocol to securely manage Cisco switches remotely. This FAQ provides concise answers and essential steps to enable SSH on Cisco Catalyst switches, helping you protect your network devices from unauthorized access.

To enable SSH on a Cisco switch, follow these essential steps:

1. 1. Configure hostname and domain name:

configure terminalhostname MySwitchip domain-name example.local

2. 
   

3. 2. Create a local user with admin privileges:

username admin privilege 15 password YourSecurePassword

3. 
   

4. 3. Generate RSA keys:

crypto key generate rsa modulus 2048

4. 
   

5. 4. Enable SSH version 2:

ip ssh version 2

5. 
   

6. 5. Restrict VTY lines to accept only SSH and use local login:

line vty 0 4transport input sshlogin local

6. 
   

7. 6. Save the configuration:

copy running-config startup-config

For more detailed configuration steps and advanced SSH security practices, please see our full guide: How to Configure SSH on Cisco Switch

What is the recommended RSA key size for SSH on Cisco switches?

The recommended RSA key modulus size is 2048 bits for strong encryption.

Can I enable SSH on Cisco Catalyst 2960 switches?

Yes, SSH can be configured on Catalyst 2960 switches if they have updated IOS firmware.

Can I enable SSH on Cisco 350 switches?

Yes, the process to enable SSH on Cisco 350 switches (such as the Cisco SG350 series) is similar. You need to create a user, configure the IP domain name, generate RSA keys, enable SSH version 2, and apply it on VTY lines. Refer to your specific Cisco 350 switch model documentation for any menu-based differences if using the web interface.

How do I disable Telnet after enabling SSH?

Configure VTY lines to accept only SSH connections by using:

line vty 0 15transport input ssh

How to test SSH connection to Cisco switch?

From your management PC, use an SSH client like this:

ssh -l admin

A successful login indicates SSH is working.