Sensor Installation and Configuration Overview

• Plan for the proper deployment of CIDS sensors

• Understand the common strategies used to deploy sensors

• Sensor bootstrap configuration

• Use Cisco’s IDS Device Manager

• Configure sensors using IDS Device Manager

Sensors form the heart and eyes of the Cisco intrusion detection system (CIDS). For optimum performance, sensors should be deployed at various locations throughout your network. The correct placement of sensors is critical to ensure consistent IDS coverage. This chapter discusses where sensors should be placed, as well as the common strategies used for sensor deployment.

Sensors can be configured using the built-in web application IDS Device Manager. Each sensor can be configure to allow HTTP access to the configuration utility provided in the sensor software. The IDS Device Manager application is preinstalled on each sensor and only must be activated during sensor bootstrap. Once the sensor is bootstrapped, the administrator can connect to the sensor via the IP address configured.