---
title: Policy Groups Definition
slug: reference-guide-3-0-0/policy-groups-definition
description: Learn how policy groups function in a system, where black keys take precedence over white keys. Discover step-by-step instructions for creating policy groups and explore the powerful capabilities of the Single Connect feature, such as sending SNMP traps f
docTags:
createdAt: 2022-07-27T10:31:42.000Z
---
Policy groups consist of multiple policies. If black and white keys are defined in the same policy group, then black keys have higher priority, i.e., the system restricts the black key commands first, then allows white key commands.
If there are specific commands defined as white key, the system will allow these commands and restrict all other commands.
To create policy groups
1. Navigate to** Policy Control** > **Session Policy**.
2. Open the **Policy Group** tab.
3. Fill in the mandatory fields (Policy Name, Operation Mode, Select Policy Key(s), Action) under **Policy** **Group Properties** and set the **Action** field as **Generate Error **and click **Save.**
| **Operation Mode** | **Definition** |
| ------------------ | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Operation** | Policy groups that are available when devices are in operation mode. |
| **Maintenance** | Policy groups that are available when devices are in maintenance mode. Maintenance mode is set on devices. Check the Device Inventory – Devices. Right-click the Menu section for more information. |
Single Connect can send information about executed black key commands to a Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) server.
**SNMP Trap**: If the checkbox is selected, an SNMP Trap is sent to the desired target when a user tries to execute a black key command. The target the SNMP trap will be sent to can be configured as a property in the System Config Manager.
The following parameters should be defined in the System Config Manager:
| Parameter Name | Parameter Value |
| ------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **snmp.target.ip** | Target IP to send the SNMP trap to. If not defined, “localhost” is used as the default target IP to send the traps. |
| **snmp.target.port** | Target port of the target IP to send the SNMP trap to. If not defined, “162” is used as the default port. |
| **snmp.community.string** | The preferred community string should be defined. If not defined, “public” is used as the default value. |
### Time Restriction Policy Definition
Time-based restrictions are used to regulate the CLI connections to network elements via Single Connect in a timely manner. Time and command-based restrictions can be used together to best fit your security needs. The example below reflects a scenario that a service provider may experience often.
| **Time Interval** | **Authorization** | **Explanation** |
| ------------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Weekdays
06:00-22:00
| Only monitoring commands. | Configuration commands are restricted due to potential effects on service. |
| Weekdays
22:00 -02:00
| All configuration commands but the service affecting commands may be run. | Operators may run all configuration commands but commands such as “reboot”, “restart”, or “BGP shutdown” |
| Weekdays
02:00-06:00
| All commands.
| No restrictions on running commands |
| Weekend | Only monitoring commands. | Configuration commands are restricted due to potential effect on service. |
There must be four time-based policies and three command-based policies covering all the alternatives from the table above.
Time Based Policies:
TBP 1: 06:00 – 22:00, Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri
TBP 2: 22:00 – 02:00, Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri
TBP 3: 02:00 – 06:00, Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri
TBP 4: Sat, Sun
Command Based Policies
Whitelist 1: .\*sh.\*
Blacklist 1: .\*rebo.\* , .\*resta.\* , .\*bgp.\*/s.\*shut.\*
Whitelist 2: .\*
The Regular Expression, “.\*” covers all of the command subsets. By using command and time-based policies together the scenario above would look like this:
-
Weekdays 06:00 – 22:00: TBP 1 & Whitelist 1
-
Weekdays 22:00 – 02:00: TBP 2 & Blacklist 1
-
Weekdays 02:00 – 06:00: TBP 3 & Whitelist 2
-
Weekend TBP 4 & Whitelist 1
### Permit Zone Policy Definition
The defined IP addresses can connect to devices directly, unlike other undefined IPs, which cannot connect to devices directly.
1. Navigate to **Policy Control** > **Session Policy**.
2. Open the **Permit Zone **tab.
3. Enter the IP and username and click **Save**.
