Preparing Unix-based systems
Safeguard for Privileged Passwordsuses the SSH protocol to connect to Unix-based systems.
To prepare Unix-based systems (AIX, HP-UX, Linux, Macintosh OS X, Solaris, and FreeBSD platforms)
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Create a service account on the asset with sufficient permissions.
You need to at least configure a password or SSH key for the service account. If you want to use an SSH key generated and configured by Safeguard for Privileged Passwords, then you also need to make sure the service account’s home directory exists.
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Ensure that the service account can run the following list of commands with root privileges non-interactively; that is, without prompting for a password.
For example, on a Linux system add the following line in the sudoers file:
<SerAcctName> ALL=(root) NOPASSWD: /usr/bin/passwd
The commands a service account must run with root privileges non-interactively are:
Linux and most Unix-based systems:
- egrep
- grep
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passwd
NOTE: Additional sudo commands may be required for Unix-based systems. For example, see SSH Key for a list of commands required for configuring SSH authentication keys on a managed system.
AIX:
Mac OS X
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Enable and configure the SSH server to allow the service account to log in remotely. For example, on a Mac, enable Remote Login for the service account.
NOTE: Different versions of Linux and Unix may require slightly different parameters for SSH configuration. Consult a Linux/Unix system administrator or the system documentation for assistance.
Preparing Windows systems
Safeguard for Privileged Passwords supports Windows systems. For more information, see How to: Configure Windows Assets in Safeguard.
To prepare Windows systems for Safeguard for Privileged Passwords
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Create a service account on the asset and assign it a password:
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Directory Configuration
If the Windows system is joined to a domain that will be managed in Safeguard for Privileged Passwords, you can use a directory account, such as a Microsoft Active Directory account to manage the asset. Enable the Password Never Expires option; once you add the asset to Safeguard for Privileged Passwords, you can have the service account password auto-managed to keep it secure.
-OR-
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Local Configuration
If the Windows system is not joined to a domain, then use a local service account that has been granted sufficient permissions.
- Grant the service account sufficient permissions to change account permissions to allow changing account passwords. For more information, see Minimum required permissions for Windows assets.
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Configure the system's firewall to allow the following predefined incoming rules:
These rules allow incoming traffic on TCP port 135 and TCP SMB 445, respectively.
- Ensure the following ports are accessible:
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Change the local security policy:
Before Safeguard for Privileged Passwords can reset local account passwords on Windows systems, using a service account that is a non-built-in administrator, you must change the local security policy to disable the User Account Control (UAC) Admin Approval Mode (Run all administrators in Admin Approval Mode) option. For more information, see Change password or SSH key fails.
For additional information on ports, see Safeguard ports.
Preparing WinRM systems
Safeguard for Privileged Passwords supports Windows Remote Management (WinRM) systems.
To prepare Windows Remote Management (WinRM) systems for Safeguard for Privileged Passwords
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The initial configuration requirements for WinRM depend on whether or not you are using SSL.
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Create a service account on the asset and assign it a password:
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Directory Configuration
If the Windows system is joined to a domain that will be managed in Safeguard for Privileged Passwords, you can use a directory account, such as a Microsoft Active Directory account to manage the asset. Enable the Password Never Expires option; once you add the asset to Safeguard for Privileged Passwords, you can have the service account password auto-managed to keep it secure.
-OR-
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Local Configuration
If the Windows system is not joined to a domain, then use a local service account that has been granted sufficient permissions.
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Grant the service account sufficient permissions to change account permissions to allow changing account passwords. For more information, see Minimum required permissions for Windows assets.
Preparing Windows SSH systems
Safeguard for Privileged Passwords supports Windows SSH systems. Windows SSH uses port 22 on the platform.
Safeguard for Privileged Passwords requires that C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe be configured as the default shell for SSH (for more information, see OpenSSH Server configuration for Windows Server and Windows).
OpenSSH on Windows 8
The OpenSSH port on Windows 8 has server-side limitations on command execution. Password operations may appear to run more slowly because commands do not return until the timeout expires, even if the command has already completed on the server. You may need to tune the Connection Timeout (CommandTimeout) when running TestConnection, ChangePassword, and CheckPassword in order to allow these password operations enough time to run while still allowing enough time to avoid timeouts for other conditions specific to your network.
To prepare Windows SSH systems for Safeguard for Privileged Passwords
- Ensure the SSH server service is running.
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Create a service account on the asset and assign it a password:
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Directory Configuration
If the Windows SSH system is joined to a domain that will be managed in Safeguard for Privileged Passwords, you can use a directory account, such as a Microsoft Active Directory account to manage the asset. Enable the Password Never Expires option; once you add the asset to Safeguard for Privileged Passwords, you can have the service account password auto-managed to keep it secure.
-OR-
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Local Configuration
If the Windows SSH system is not joined to a domain, then use a local service account that has been granted sufficient permissions.
IMPORTANT: A local account does not have the access necessary to discover services running as domain accounts, so if a local account is used, Safeguard for Privileged Passwords will only discover and update services running as local accounts, and domain account dependencies will not be updated.
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Ensure the service account is added to the local Administrator's group to allow change password permissions. For more information, see Minimum required permissions for Windows assets.