Avaya P3343T-ML manual Radius, Introduction to RADIUS

Chapter 8 User Authentication

RADIUS

Introduction to RADIUS

User accounts are typically maintained locally on the switch. Therefore, if a site contains multiple Avaya Switches, it is necessary to configure each switch with its own user accounts. Additionally, if for example a 'read-write' user has to be changed into a 'read-only' user, you must change all the 'read-write' passwords configured locally in every switch, in order to prevent him from accessing this level. This is obviously not effective management. A better solution is to have all of the user login information kept in a central location where all the switches can access it. P330 features such a solution: the Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service (RADIUS).

A RADIUS authentication server is installed on a central computer at the customer's site. On this server user authentication (account) information is configured that provides various degrees of access to the switch. The P330 will run as a RADIUS client. When a user attempts to log into the switch, if there is no local user account for the entered user name and password, then the switch will send an Authentication Request to the RADIUS server in an attempt to authenticate the user remotely. If the user name and password are authenticated, then the RADIUS server responds to the switch with an Authentication Acknowledgement that includes information on the user's privileges ('administrator', 'read-write', or 'read-only'), and the user is allowed to gain access to the switch. If the user is not authenticated, then an Authentication Reject is sent to the switch and the user is not allowed access to the switch's embedded management.

The Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service (RADIUS) is an IETF standard (RFC 2138) client/server security protocol. Security and login information is stored in a central location known as the RADIUS server. RADIUS clients, such as the P330, communicate with the RADIUS server to authenticate users.

All transactions between the RADIUS client and server are authenticated through the use of a “shared secret” which is not sent over the network. The shared secret is an authentication password configured on both the RADIUS client and its RADIUS servers. The shared secret is stored as clear text in the client’s file on the RADIUS server, and in the non-volatile memory of the P330. In addition, user passwords are sent between the client and server are encrypted for increased security.

Avaya P334T-ML User’s Guide 49