Final answer:
Apache Knox provides two main security functions: proxying services and API and perimeter security. Proxying services act as an intermediary, enhancing security by reducing exposure, while API and perimeter security handle authentication, authorization, and other security measures to protect the cluster.
Step-by-step explanation:
The two security functions that Apache Knox provides are proxying services and API and perimeter security. Apache Knox is a gateway that simplifies the development and access to services within a Hadoop cluster by providing a single access point. Its primary role is to provide perimeter security so that different enterprise and operational tools can interact securely with the Hadoop ecosystem.
The proxying services function of Apache Knox allows it to act as an intermediary between the user and the backend services. It forwards requests to various services within the Hadoop cluster and provides a layer of abstraction, which can enhance security by reducing the exposure of various endpoints.
API and perimeter security involves defending the cluster from unauthorized access by providing authentication, authorization, auditing, and other security features at the gateway level. This means that Knox helps to manage who or what can access the data and services, keeps track of these interactions, and imposes policies to ensure that only legitimate activities are allowed.