MPP vs ACLs

Using Access-List (ACL)s it is possible to achieve results similar to Management Plane Policing (MPP) on Cisco devices, though there are some differences in their approach and granularity.

  1. Access Control Lists (ACLs): ACLs are a fundamental security feature used in Cisco devices to control the flow of packets through the network. They can be used to permit or deny traffic based on various criteria such as IP addresses, protocols, ports, and more.

  2. Using ACLs for Management Plane Security:

    • Restricting Access to Management Interfaces: You can apply ACLs to the vty lines (virtual terminal lines used for remote management access like SSH or Telnet) of a device. This restricts access to the device's management plane by only allowing connections from specified IP addresses or networks.
    • Control Management Protocols: ACLs can also be configured to filter traffic for specific management protocols like SNMP, HTTP/HTTPS, etc., by allowing only trusted sources to initiate these protocols towards your network devices.

  3. Differences from MPP:

    • Granularity: MPP provides a more specific focus on protecting management interfaces and is designed specifically for that purpose. ACLs, while versatile, are a broader tool and require more careful configuration to achieve the same level of protection specifically for management interfaces.
    • Ease of Configuration: MPP is generally easier to configure for the specific task of protecting management interfaces. With ACLs, you need to ensure that your configurations are precise to avoid inadvertently blocking legitimate traffic or allowing unauthorized access.
    • Scope: ACLs are more versatile and can be used for a wide range of packet filtering tasks beyond just protecting management interfaces.

  4. Best Practices:

    • When using ACLs for management plane protection, it’s essential to regularly update and review the ACL entries to adapt to any changes in the network.
    • Combining both ACLs and MPP, when possible, can provide a more robust security posture. ACLs can provide a first line of defense, while MPP can offer more targeted protection for management interfaces.

While ACLs can be configured to protect the management plane of Cisco devices, MPP is a feature specifically designed for this purpose and offers a more straightforward and targeted approach. However, ACLs offer greater versatility and are a powerful tool in a network administrator's arsenal for overall network security.

https://networklessons.com/cisco/ccie-routing-switching-written/management-plane-protection-mpp

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