3Com SUPERSTACK 3 3250, Implementation Manual

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What is RADIUS?
Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service (RADIUS) is an industry
standard protocol for carrying authentication, authorization and
configuration information between a network device and a shared
authentication server. Transactions between each network device and the
server are authenticated by the use of a shared secret. Additional security
is provided by encryption of passwords to prevent interception by a
network snooper.
RADIUS is defined in the RFCs 2865 and 2866, “Remote Authentication
Dial-in User Service (RADIUS)” and “RADIUS Accounting”.
Network Login, a method of port-based access control, and Switch
Management Login, used to control administrative access, both utilize
the RADIUS protocol.