Secure+ Parameters File

The Sterling Connect:Direct® Secure Plus parameters file (Secure+ parameters file) contains information that determines the protocol and encryption method used during encryption-enabled Sterling Connect:Direct Secure Plus operations. To configure Sterling Connect:Direct Secure Plus, each site must have a Secure+ parameters file that contains one local node record and at least one remote node record for each trading partner who uses Sterling Connect:Direct Secure Plus to perform a secure connection. The local node record defines the most commonly used security and protocol settings for the node at the site. The local node record can also be used as a default for one or more remote node records. Each remote node record defines the specific security and protocol settings used by a trading partner. You should create a remote node record in the Secure+ parameters file for each Sterling Connect:Direct node that you communicate with even if the remote node does not use Sterling Connect:Direct Secure Plus.

Note: The Secure+ parameters file is not dynamically updated. When multiple users update the Secure+ parameters file, each user must close and reopen the file to display new records added by all sources.

When you create the Secure+ parameters file, a record named .SEAServer is automatically added to the file, which enables Sterling Connect:Direct to interface with Sterling External Authentication Server during SSL/TLS sessions. External authentication is configured in this record and enabled/disabled in the local and remote node records.

For additional security, the Secure+ parameters file is stored in an encrypted format. The information used for encrypting and decrypting the Secure+ parameters file (and private keys) is stored in the Secure+ access file.