ASDM Overview
ASDM is a graphical configuration tool that is designed to help you set up, configure, and monitor your Cisco Security Appliance. It is installed as a separate software image on the Security Appliance and resides in the Flash memory of all firewall units running software version 7.0 and higher. A standalone or browser-based Java applet can be used as a client to access the ASDM graphical user interface (GUI) for configuration. ASDM uses tables, drop-down menus, and task-oriented selection menus to assist you in administering your Security Appliance. Additionally, ASDM maintains compatibility with the Security Appliance CLI and includes a tool for using the standard CLI commands within the ASDM application. ASDM also lets you print or export graphs of traffic through the Security Appliance and system activity.
NOTE ASDM is a signed Java applet that downloads from the Security Appliance to your web browser or a standalone installer.
Figure 15-1 shows the ASDM GUI with the three main buttons: Home, Configuration, and Monitoring.
Figure 15-1 Security Appliance Adaptive Security Device Manager GUI
Figure 15-1 Security Appliance Adaptive Security Device Manager GUI
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If your Cisco Security Appliance unit is new and came with software version 7.0, the software is already loaded in Flash memory. If you are upgrading from a previous version of Cisco Security Appliance, you must use Trivial File Transfer Protocol (TFTP) from the Security Appliance unit's inside interface to copy the ASDM image to your Security Appliance. ASDM works with software version 7.0 and later, and it can operate on the Security Appliance 515, 515E, 525, 535, 5510, 5520, and 5540 units as soon as they are upgraded to version 7.0 or later.
ASDM is designed to assist you in managing your network security in these ways:
■ Letting you visually monitor your Cisco Security Appliance system, connections, Intrusion Detection System (IDS), and traffic on the interfaces.
■ Creating new Security Appliance configurations or modifying existing configurations that were originally implemented using the Security Appliance.
■ Using visual tools such as task-oriented selections and drop-down menus to configure your Cisco Security Appliance.
■ Using Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) to secure communication between ASDM and the Security Appliance.
■ Monitoring and configuring Security Appliance units individually.
Multiple Cisco Security Appliances can be monitored and configured from a single workstation via the web browser. It is also possible to have up to five administrators accessing a given Security Appliance unit or context via ASDM at the same time. A maximum of 32 total sessions can be active on a unit running multiple mode.
For the SNPA exam, this chapter focuses on ASDM version 5.0 running on software version 7.0.
Continue reading here: ASDM Installation
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