Solaris 10 5/09 Installation Guide: Network-Based Installations

Encrypting Data With Encryption Keys

The WAN boot installation method enables you to encrypt the data you transmit from the WAN boot server to the client. You can use WAN boot utilities to create a Triple Data Encryption Standard (3DES) or Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) encryption key. You can then provide this key to both the WAN boot server and the client. WAN boot uses this encryption key to encrypt the data sent from the WAN boot server to the client. The client can then use this key to decrypt the encrypted configuration files and security files that are transmitted during the installation.

Once you install an encryption key on a client, the client uses this key for future WAN boot installations.

Your site might not permit the use of encryption keys. To determine if your site permits encryption, ask your site's security administrator. If your site permits encryption, ask your security administrator which type of encryption key, either 3DES or AES, you should use.

For instructions on how to use encryption keys, see (Optional) To Create a Hashing Key and an Encryption Key.