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365-360-001 R6.0
Issue 1, December 2008
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Overview
Purpose
This chapter provides an introduction to 8950 AAA and some of the terms that you will
encounter when working with the 8950 AAA product.
The following topics are included in this chapter:
What is 8950 AAA?
Overview
8950 AAA is server software that is used to manage secure access to networks, servers,
and information services. Network elements that use a RADIUS server to manage access
are known as clients. An example of a RADIUS client might be a network access server
(NAS), a Wi-Fi access point, or even a Web page. 8950 AAA is a tool that promotes
system integrity not only for the network server, but also for the client-server relationship.
The next section provides a scenario showing the role that 8950 AAA plays within a
network.
Overview of Client-Server Access
8950 AAA provides access management for a client system. Figure 1-1 illustrates
basically how this is done. The term Network Access Server (NAS) is a term for a network
element that provides dial-up access services to a network. After the user connects to the
NAS, the NAS receives the user name and password from the user’s computer.
What is 8950 AAA? 1-1
RADIUS Terms Explained 1-3