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Catalyst 4500 Series, Catalyst 2948G, Catalyst 2980G Switches Software Configuration Guide
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Release 8.1
78-15486-01
Chapter 30 Configuring Switch Access Using AAA
Configuring Authentication
Note
To use RADIUS authentication for enable mode, you need to create a user with the name $enab15$ on
the RADIUS server, and assign a password to that user. This user needs to be created in addition to your
assigned username and password on the RADIUS server (example: username john, password hello.)
After you log in to the Catalyst 4500 series switch with your assigned username and password
(john/hello), you can enter enable mode using the password that is assigned to the $enab15$ user.
If your RADIUS server does not support the $enab15$ username, you can set the service-type attribute
(attribute 6) to Administrative (value 6) for a RADUIS user to directly launch the user into enable mode
without asking for a separate enable password.
This example shows how to enable RADIUS authentication and verify the configuration:
Console> (enable) set authentication login radius enable
radius login authentication set to enable for console and telnet session.
Console> (enable) set authentication enable radius enable
radius enable authentication set to enable for console and telnet session.
Console> (enable) show authentication
Login Authentication: Console Session Telnet Session
--------------------- ---------------- ----------------
tacacs disabled disabled
radius enabled(primary) enabled(primary)
local enabled enabled
Enable Authentication: Console Session Telnet Session
---------------------- ----------------- ----------------
tacacs disabled disabled
radius enabled(primary) enabled(primary)
local enabled enabled
Console> (enable)
Specifying the RADIUS Key
The RADIUS key is used to encrypt and authenticate all communication between the RADIUS client
and server. You must configure the same key on the client and the RADIUS server.
The length of the key is limited to 65 characters. It can include any printable ASCII characters except
tabs.
To specify the RADIUS key, perform this task in privileged mode:
This example shows how to specify the RADIUS key and verify the configuration (in normal mode, the
RADIUS key value is hidden):
Console> (enable) set radius key Secret_RADIUS_key
Radius key set to Secret_RADIUS_key
Console> (enable) show radius
Login Authentication: Console Session Telnet Session
Task
Command
Step 1
Specify the RADIUS key that is used to encrypt packets sent
to the RADIUS server.
set radius key key
Step 2
Verify the RADIUS configuration.
show radius