What is one of the steps required for configuring SSH on a router to ensure only encrypted connections are accepted?

To ensure that only encrypted connections are accepted when configuring SSH on a router, generating the SSH keys is a critical step. SSH (Secure Shell) relies on public-key cryptography to establish a secure channel over an insecure network. The generation of these keys ensures that the communications between the client and the server (in this case, the router) are encrypted, providing confidentiality and integrity for the data being sent.

When the SSH keys are created, a pair of keys is generated: a public key, which can be shared with clients, and a private key, which must be kept secret on the server. When a client attempts to connect to the router using SSH, the server uses the keys to encrypt the session, ensuring that any data exchanged cannot be easily intercepted or deciphered by unauthorised parties.

In contrast, configuring a static IP address, enabling HTTP access, or setting a new administrator password do not directly contribute to establishing an encrypted connection using SSH. While they may be important aspects of router configuration, they do not ensure the security and encryption of the data transmitted between the router and the client, which is the primary function of generating SSH keys.