> # DHCHAP

> DHCHAP is an authentication protocol that authenticates the devices connecting to a switch. Fibre Channel authentication allows only trusted devices to be added to a fabric, which prevents unauthorized devices from accessing the switch.

> Note The terms FC-SP and DHCHAP are used interchangeably in this chapter.

> DHCHAP is a mandatory password-based, key-exchange authentication protocol that supports both switch-to-switch and host-to-switch authentication. DHCHAP negotiates hash algorithms and DH groups before performing authentication. It supports MD5 and SHA-1 algorithm-based authentication.

> Configuring the DHCHAP feature requires the ENTERPRISE_PKG license (see the Cisco MDS 9000 Family NX-OS Licensing Guide).

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