Cisco 3560G 48TS Software Configuration Guide - Page 172

Controlling Switch Access with RADIUS Chapter 8 Configuring Switch-Based Authentication Controlling Switch Access with RADIUS This section describes how to enable and configure the Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service (RADIUS), which provides detailed accounting information and flexible administrative control over authentication and authorization processes. RADIUS is facilitated through AAA and can be enabled only through AAA commands. Note For complete syntax and usage information for the commands used in this section, refer to the Cisco IOS Security Command Reference for Release 12.1. This section contains this configuration information: • Understanding RADIUS, page 8-18 • RADIUS Operation, page 8-19 • Configuring RADIUS, page 8-20 • Displaying the RADIUS Configuration, page 8-31 Understanding RADIUS RADIUS is a distributed client/server system that secures networks against unauthorized access. RADIUS clients run on supported Cisco routers and switches. Clients send authentication requests to a central RADIUS server, which contains all user authentication and network service access information. The RADIUS host is normally a multiuser system running RADIUS server software from Cisco (Cisco Secure Access Control Server version 3.0), Livingston, Merit, Microsoft, or another software provider. For more information, refer to the RADIUS server documentation. Use RADIUS in these network environments that require access security: • Networks with multiple-vendor access servers, each supporting RADIUS. For example, access servers from several vendors use a single RADIUS server-based security database. In an IP-based network with multiple vendors' access servers, dial-in users are authenticated through a RADIUS server that has been customized to work with the Kerberos security system. • Turnkey network security environments in which applications support the RADIUS protocol, such as in an access environment that uses a smart card access control system. In one case, RADIUS has been used with Enigma's security cards to validates users and to grant access to network resources. • Networks already using RADIUS. You can add a Cisco switch containing a RADIUS client to the network. This might be the first step when you make a transition to a TACACS+ server. See Figure 8-2 on page 8-19. • Network in which the user must only access a single service. Using RADIUS, you can control user access to a single host, to a single utility such as Telnet, or to the network through a protocol such as IEEE 802.1X. For more information about this protocol, see Chapter 9, "Configuring 802.1X Port-Based Authentication." • Networks that require resource accounting. You can use RADIUS accounting independently of RADIUS authentication or authorization. The RADIUS accounting functions allow data to be sent at the start and end of services, showing the amount of resources (such as time, packets, bytes, and so forth) used during the session. An Internet service provider might use a freeware-based version of RADIUS access control and accounting software to meet special security and billing needs. 8-18 Catalyst 3560 Switch Software Configuration Guide 78-16156-01