Hardening & Safe Protocols

Nvidia (Mellanox): How to enable HTTPS-only management

By Sai Kiran Pandrala · reviewed by Sai Kiran Pandrala, Editor Last verified: 2026-05-30

⚡ At a glance
VendorNvidia (Mellanox)
Operating systemCumulus Linux / NVOS / SONiC
CategoryHardening & Safe Protocols
Skill levelIntermediate to advanced
DIY-able?Yes with CLI access; some scenarios need Nvidia Enterprise Support + RMA.

What this guide covers

How to enable HTTPS-only management on Nvidia (Mellanox) devices (Cumulus Linux / NVOS / SONiC).

Recommendation

Disable HTTP, enable HTTPS, install a CA-signed certificate, restrict the source IP range.

CLI / commands

# Entered from: nv config (NVUE)
nv set interface swp1 ip address 10.0.0.1/24
nv config apply

# Save / commit
nv config save

Verify

Frequently asked questions

Will this work on my specific Cumulus Linux / NVOS / SONiC version?

The procedure reflects current Cumulus Linux / NVOS / SONiC behaviour. Older releases may need minor syntax adjustments, use the CLI help (? or tab-completion) to verify.

Should I open a Nvidia Enterprise Support case immediately?

Open one if you suspect hardware failure or the symptom persists after a maintenance-window reload. Make sure your support entitlement is active first.

Where can I find the Nvidia (Mellanox) official documentation?

https://docs.nvidia.com/networking/. search the product family + feature name.

Is this procedure safe in production?

Test in a lab or maintenance window first. Capture pre-change state so you can roll back.

Related guides worth a look while you sort this one out:

References


Reference material, not professional advice. Validate against your specific Cumulus Linux / NVOS / SONiC version and test in a non-production environment before applying.

What changed recently?

Fault diagnosis on a Nvidia device goes faster when you map the symptom to a recent change:

The answer narrows the root cause to a manageable subset.

Before you start

A few things to confirm so the Nvidia device fix goes cleanly:

Verification checklist

After applying the fix on your Nvidia device, confirm:

When to call Nvidia support instead

Escalate if:

More frequently asked questions

Can I roll this back if something breaks?

Yes for software-level changes (firmware rollback, config rollback). Hardware changes are usually one-way. Always back up settings before starting.

Why is this happening on a brand-new unit?

Out-of-box defects do occur. If you've owned the device under 30 days and the symptom persists after a factory reset, escalate to the seller for replacement under DOA terms before opening a manufacturer support case.

Does this affect other devices on my network?

Generally no. The procedure is local to this device. Network-side changes (firmware updates that affect TLS, SMB, or routing) are flagged explicitly in the steps.

Is it safe to apply during business hours?

If the device is in production use, apply during a scheduled maintenance window. Most procedures need 2-15 minutes of downtime. Capture pre-change state so you can roll back if needed.

Are there safer alternatives for non-technical users?

Yes, the manufacturer's self-service troubleshooter (HP Smart, LG ThinQ, Samsung Members, similar) usually walks through the same steps in a guided UI. Use that first if you're not comfortable with menu paths.