Enable FIPS mode on the SMC Appliance

You must enable FIPS mode when you install the SMC Appliance.

1. Turn on the SMC Appliance.
2. Accept the EULA.
3. Select Begin, then press Enter.
4. Select the keyboard layout for accessing the SMC Appliance on the command line.
5. Enter the administrator account name and password.
   Note: The administrator account and password are used for command line access to the SMC Appliance and for access to the Management Client. The administrator account is created with unrestricted permissions (superuser).
   1. Enter the account name.
      This field is case sensitive and limited to eight characters.
   2. Enter the password.
      The password is case sensitive. The password must be at least ten characters long and contain at least one number.
   3. Enter the password again.
6. (Optional) Configure a bootloader password.
   If you configure a bootloader password, you must enter the bootloader password to edit the options that appear in the bootloader menu of the SMC Appliance.
   1. Press the space bar to configure a bootloader password.
   2. Enter the password.
   3. Enter the password again.
7. Make your security selections.
   1. Select FIPS mode.
   2. Select 256-bit encryption as the security strength.
8. To enable network interface configuration, select Disabled, then press Enter.
9. Complete the network interface configuration for the primary network interface for management.
   1. Select Enable interface.
   2. Select Primary.
   3. Complete the network configuration fields for the interface.
10. (Optional) Complete the network interface configuration for the secondary network interface for management.
    1. Select Enable interface.
    2. Select Secondary.
    3. Complete the network configuration fields for the interface.
11. Enter a host name for the Management Server.
12. (Optional) Enter one or more IPv4 or IPv6 addresses in the DNS server fields.
    Note: CIDR notation is not allowed.
13. (Optional) If you do not want to use NTP, disable it in the NTP settings.
14. Select the time zone.
15. Set the date and time.
    You are prompted to review the configuration.
16. Select Confirm, then press Enter.