Why admin sessions do not timeout after the idle-timeout setting?

Why admin sessions do not timeout after the idle-timeout setting?

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Created On 11/27/19 02:18 AM - Last Modified 02/20/23 08:41 AM


Question


Why idle admin sessions do not time out and can be seen on Dashboard even after exceeding "Idle Timeout" period set under Device>Setup>Authentication Settings?


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In the below snapshot, it can be seen that the device still shows idle admin sessions which are idle for several days(red rectangle).
There is a huge difference between current time (orange rectangle) and admin sessions start time.


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Similar information for current idle time can be seen using the below CLI command:
> show admins 


Environment


Long idle admin sessions can be caused if the Dashboard, ACC, Alarm or logs under Device>Monitor are set with refresh timers shorter than Idle Timeout :

Dashboard:
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ACC:
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Monitor:
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Alarms (Web GUI bottom-right corner):

Screenshot1 - Copy.png

 



Answer


  • Refreshing web interface pages such as the Dashboard, ACC, Alarms and logs under Device>Monitor resets the Idle Timeout counter.
  • To enable the firewall to enforce the timeout when you are on a page that supports automatic refreshing, set the refresh interval to Manual or to a value higher than the Idle Timeout.
  • Auto refresh on ACC tab can also left unchecked.

Dashboard:
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ACC:
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Monitor:
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Alarms(default Value is "Refresh every 15 seconds"):

Screenshot2.png



Additional Information


Using the Logout option from the bottom-left corner of the web interface, can help in immediate log out of the admin session and the admin session will not be left idle.

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