HP Cisco Nexus 5000 Cisco Nexus 5000 Series Switch CLI Software Configuration - Page 287

18 C H A P T E R Configuring RADIUS This chapter contains the following sections: • Configuring RADIUS, page 241 Configuring RADIUS Information About RADIUS The Remote Access Dial-In User Service (RADIUS) distributed client/server system allows you to secure networks against unauthorized access. In the Cisco implementation, RADIUS clients run on Cisco Nexus 5000 Series switches and send authentication and accounting requests to a central RADIUS server that contains all user authentication and network service access information. RADIUS Network Environments RADIUS can be implemented in a variety of network environments that require high levels of security while maintaining network access for remote users. You can use RADIUS in the following network environments that require access security: • Networks with multiple-vendor network devices, each supporting RADIUS. For example, network devices from several vendors can use a single RADIUS server-based security database. • Networks already using RADIUS. You can add a Nexus 5000 Series switch with RADIUS to the network. This action might be the first step when you make a transition to a AAA server. • Networks that require resource accounting. You can use RADIUS accounting independent of RADIUS authentication or authorization. The RADIUS accounting functions allow data to be sent at the start and end of services, indicating the amount of resources (such as time, packets, bytes, and so on) used during the session. An Internet service provider (ISP) might use a freeware-based version of the RADIUS access control and accounting software to meet special security and billing needs. OL-16597-01 Cisco Nexus 5000 Series Switch CLI Software Configuration Guide 241