Encrypting configuration file properties

Configure properties in dse.yaml and cassandra.yaml to protect LDAP passwords, SSL truststore passwords, and configuration properties.

Configure DSE to use a local encryption key to decrypt properties in the configuration file. Use passwords encrypted with the local key for the following properties:
  • dse.yaml LDAP values:
    ldap_options.search_password
    ldap_options.truststore_password
    Restriction: Use plain text for the KMIP keystore or truststore passwords.
  • cassandra.yaml SSL values:

    server_encryption_options.keystore_password
    server_encryption_options.truststore_password
    client_encryption_options.keystore_password 
    client_encryption_options.truststore_password 

cassandra.yaml

The location of the cassandra.yaml file depends on the type of installation:
Package installations /etc/dse/cassandra/cassandra.yaml
Tarball installations installation_location/resources/cassandra/conf/cassandra.yaml

dse.yaml

The location of the dse.yaml file depends on the type of installation:
Package installations /etc/dse/dse.yaml
Tarball installations installation_location/resources/dse/conf/dse.yaml

Prerequisites

Complete the key setup described in Setting up local encryption keys.
Note: When using a local encryption key file, set the location and ensure that the key file is owned by the account running DSE.

Procedure

  1. For each property, replace plain text passwords with encrypted passwords returned by running the command:
    1. Encrypt the password:
      dsetool encryptconfigvalue
      Using system key system_key
      
      Enter value to encrypt:
      Enter again to confirm:
      
      Your encrypted value is:
      
      +Vj5oHCR/jqfA+OJE2m8zA==
    2. Replace the old value with the new value in the configuration file, for example the SSL truststore password in the cassandra.yaml:
      truststore_password: +Vj5oHCR/jqfA+OJE2m8zA==
      Warning: After the configuration file property encryption is enabled, DSE startup fails if any of the protected properties are not encrypted.
  2. In dse.yaml, enable configuration file property encryption:
    1. Set to true.
      config_encryption_active: true
      When set to true, the configuration values must be encrypted or commented out.
      Restriction: Lifecycle Manager (LCM) is not compatible when config_encryption_active is true in DSE and OpsCenter. For LCM limitations, see .
    2. Set the local key encryption filename:
      config_encryption_key_name: key_filename
  3. Update the dse.yaml and cassandra.yaml on all nodes in the cluster.
  4. Optional: Set up encryption for system resources, see Encrypting system resources.
  5. Perform a rolling restart.