6-19
Cisco Catalyst Blade Switch 3130 and 3032 for Dell Software Configuration Guide
OL-13270-06
Chapter 6 Configuring Switch-Based Authentication
Controlling Switch Access with RADIUS
•
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.
RADIUS is not suitable in these network security situations:
•
Multiprotocol access environments. RADIUS does not support AppleTalk Remote Access (ARA),
NetBIOS Frame Control Protocol (NBFCP), NetWare Asynchronous Services Interface (NASI), or
X.25 PAD connections.
•
Switch-to-switch or router-to-router situations. RADIUS does not provide two-way authentication.
RADIUS can be used to authenticate from one device to a non-Cisco device if the non-Cisco device
requires authentication.
•
Networks using a variety of services. RADIUS generally binds a user to one service model.
Figure 6-2
Transitioning from RADIUS to Services
RADIUS Operation
When a user attempts to log in and authenticate to a switch that is access controlled by a RADIUS server,
these events occur:
1.
The user is prompted to enter a username and password.
2.
The username and encrypted password are sent over the network to the RADIUS server.
3.
The user receives one of these responses from the RADIUS server:
a.
ACCEPT—The user is authenticated.
b.
REJECT—The user is either not authenticated and is prompted to re-enter the username and
password, or access is denied.
c.
CHALLENGE—A challenge requires additional data from the user.
d.
CHALLENGE PASSWORD—A response requests the user to select a new password.
86891
RADIUS
server
RADIUS
server
server
server
R1
R2
T1
T2
Remote
PC
Workstation
