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Enabling FIPS Mode

When Junos OS is installed on NFX device and the device is powered on, it is ready to be configured. Initially, the administrator log in as the user root with no password. When the administrator log in as root, the SSH connection is enabled by default.

As Crypto Officer, the administrator must establish a root password conforming to the FIPS password requirements in Understanding Password Specifications and Guidelines for Junos OS in FIPS Mode. When the administrator enable FIPS mode in Junos OS on the device, the administrator cannot configure passwords unless they meet this standard.

Local passwords are encrypted with the secure hash algorithm SHA256 or SHA512. Password recovery is not possible in Junos OS in FIPS mode. Junos OS in FIPS mode cannot boot into single-user mode without the correct root password.

To enable FIPS mode in Junos OS on the device:

  1. Zeroize the device to delete all CSPs before entering FIPS mode. Refer to Understanding Zeroization to Clear System Data for FIPS Mode section for details.
  2. After the device comes up in ’Amnesiac mode’, login using username root and password "" (blank).
  3. Configure root authentication.
  4. Load configuration onto device and commit new configuration.
  5. The fips-mode and jpfe-fips are optional packages needed for enabling FIPS. These packages are part of Junos OS software. To enable these packages, use below commands:
  6. Configure fips by setting the below commands and then commit.

    Device might display the Encrypted-password must be re-configured to use FIPS compliant hash warning to delete older CSP in loaded configuration.

  7. After deleting and reconfiguring CSPs, commit will go through and device needs reboot to enter FIPS mode.

    Reboot the device by issuing request vmhost reboot

  8. After rebooting the device, FIPS self-tests will run and device enters FIPS mode.
  9. After the reboot has completed, log in and use the show version command to verify.