Table of Contents
Question
What is a requirement for enabling vSAN Data at Rest Encryption (DARE) on a VxRail cluster?
A. Internal Key Management System
B. External Key Management System
C. External vCenter Server
D. All-flash configuration
Answer
B. External Key Management System
Explanation
The correct answer is B. External Key Management System.
vSAN Data at Rest Encryption (DARE) is a feature that provides security for stored data on a vSAN datastore. It encrypts all objects in the vSAN datastore, ensuring that data is secure even if the physical storage devices are removed or stolen.
To enable vSAN DARE on a VxRail cluster, an External Key Management System (KMS) is required. The KMS is responsible for generating, storing, and managing cryptographic keys that are used for encryption and decryption processes. The keys from the KMS are used to encrypt and decrypt the Data Encryption Keys (DEKs) that vSAN uses to encrypt and decrypt data.
Here’s a more detailed explanation:
When vSAN DARE is enabled, vSAN encrypts all data before it is written to the disk. This encryption process uses DEKs. However, these DEKs also need to be encrypted for security reasons. This is where the KMS comes in. The KMS provides Key Encryption Keys (KEKs) that are used to encrypt the DEKs. The encrypted DEKs are then stored safely on the disk. When data needs to be read from the disk, the process is reversed. The encrypted DEK is retrieved and decrypted using the KEK from the KMS. The decrypted DEK can then be used to decrypt the data.
It’s important to note that the KMS is an external system that needs to be set up and configured separately. It’s not included in the vSAN or VxRail software. The KMS can be a physical server or a virtual appliance, and it needs to be compatible with the Key Management Interoperability Protocol (KMIP) 1.1 standard.
In vSphere 7.0 Update 2 and later, VMware introduced a Native Key Provider feature that can be used as an alternative to an external KMS for certain use cases. However, for full functionality and compliance with security standards, an external KMS is still required.
The other options (Internal Key Management System, External vCenter Server, All-flash configuration) are not requirements for enabling vSAN DARE on a VxRail cluster.
Reference
- vSAN Data-At-Rest Encryption (vmware.com)
- Encryption | Dell VxRail: Comprehensive Security by Design | Dell Technologies Info Hub
- Data encryption | Planning Guide—VMware vCenter Server on Dell VxRail | Dell Technologies Info Hub
- Setting Up vSphere Encryption (vmware.com)
- Enable Data-At-Rest Encryption on Existing vSAN Cluster (vmware.com)
- How Data-At-Rest Encryption Works (vmware.com)
- Enable vSAN data-at-rest encryption for extra VM security | TechTarget
- Dell VxRail™ Security Configuration Guide | Dell Malaysia
- Enable vSAN Encryption with vSphere Native key Provider – Victor Virtualization (wordpress.com)
- vSAN Encryption at Rest & In Transit: What is the difference? | @greatwhitetec
Dell Specialist Systems Administrator VxRail Appliance Exam DES-6332 certification exam practice question and answer (Q&A) dump with detail explanation and reference available free, helpful to pass the Dell Specialist Systems Administrator VxRail Appliance Exam DES-6332 exam and earn Dell Specialist Systems Administrator VxRail Appliance Exam DES-6332 certification.