Client-to-node encryption

Lifecycle Manager (LCM) can configure DataStax Enterprise (DSE) clusters to use client-to-node encryption, which is disabled by default. See Configure SSL/TLS for DSE using LCM for step-by-step instructions for enabling client encryption using LCM Config Profiles. To configure SSL manually and externally from LCM for DSE clusters not managed by LCM, see Configure SSL for client-to-node connections.

When client-to-node encryption is enabled, Lifecycle Manager automates the process of preparing server certificates, exactly as it does for node-to-node encryption. To enable client-to-node encryption, select a Config Profile, click cassandra.yaml, navigate to the Security pane, and select enabled for client_encryption_options.

Some organizations might not want to use the internal certificate authority in LCM, and can manually deploy the keystore and truststore as described for node-to-node encryption.

Before drivers, cqlsh, and other CQL clients can connect to a cluster with client-to-node encryption enabled, they typically must be configured to trust the appropriate certificates. The process is different for each CQL client and Lifecycle Manager does not automatically configure CQL clients. After enabling client-to-node encryption, configure your CQL clients to use the appropriate certificates.

Due to a known limitation when enabling client-to-node encryption, you must manually provide certificates and enable require_client_auth in client_encryption_options after the cluster is created. For instructions, see Lifecycle Manager: Setting require_client_auth=true.

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