Secure Consul¶

For security reasons, we strongly recommend configuring the TLS encryption.

Caution - firewall

Due to everyone who may access the Consul Web interface via port 8500 can change the configuration including the user authorization, we strongly recommend protecting Consul via firewall. Only the PLOSSYS 5 servers and maybe the workstations of the system administrators should have access to Consul.

Configure the TLS Encryption¶

The connection to Consul is secured by the TLS certificate located in the C:\ProgramData\SEAL Systems\config\tls directory. That means that after you have replaced the self-signed certificate enclosed in delivery by your own certificate in Secure the PLOSSYS 5 Services the connection to Consul has already been secured.

Configure the TLS Encryption in a Cluster¶

If you are running PLOSSYS 5 in a cluster, execute the configuration steps above on all PLOSSYS 5 servers.

Config a Consul Key in a Cluster¶

For how to configure Consul in a cluster, refer to Configure Consul in a Cluster.

The communication between the Consul instances in a cluster is encrypted symmetrically. A pre-shared key is installed.

Caution - security gap

Using the pre-installed key in a productive system is a serious security gap.

Show the Installed Keys¶

This is how you display all keys known to the Consul cluster:

Open a Command Prompt (Administrator) and change to the directory of the Consul program:
```
C:\Program Files\SEAL Systems\seal-consul-agent
```
List the installed keys:
```
.\consul.exe keyring -list
```
Hint - active key

The active key is highlighted. GfTiHCQsAMdYyUKN+BYhMw== is the default key set during the installation.

Replace the Key¶

This is how you replace the key:

Open a Command Prompt (Administrator) and change to the directory of the Consul program:
```
C:\Program Files\SEAL Systems\seal-consul-agent
```
Create a new symmetric key:
```
.\consul.exe keygen
```
The new key <new_key> is displayed.
Distribute the new key in the Consul cluster:
```
.\consul.exe keyring -install <new_key>
```
Activate the new key:
```
.\consul.exe keyring -use <new_key>
```
Delete the old key:
```
.\consul.exe keyring -remove <old_key>
```

Specify a CA Certificate (Unnecessary in Most Cases)¶

If a CA certificate has been specified, Consul requires a client certificate from each client, that means from all PLOSSYS 5 services. This would require corresponding properties of the certificate and would be a high effort. A complete explanation of how to use client certificates is beyond the scope of this documentation.

For the rare other cases, this is how you configure a CA certificate with Consul:

Open the Consul configuration file on the PLOSSYS 5 server:
```
C:\ProgramData\SEAL Systems\config\consul.json
```
Insert the following lines in the first level, for example, above acl_datacenter:
```
{
  "ca_file": "C:\\ProgramData\\SEAL Systems\\config\\tls\\ca.pem",
  "verify_outgoing": true,
  "acl_datacenter": "dc1",
...
}
```
Caution - JSON structure

Pay attention to keep the JSON structure in the configuration file! For further information, refer to http://json.org/json-de.html.
Save the configuration file.
Restart the following service:
- seal-consul-agent

Next Step¶

Continue with: Secure Filebeat