Chapter 8 User Authentication

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.

Figure 8.2 illustrates the RADIUS authentication procedure:

Figure 8.2 RADIUS Authentication Procedure

User attempts login

Local User

account

authenticated in

switch?

No

Authentication request sent to RADIUS Server

User name and

password

authenticated?

No

Authentication Reject

sent to switch

User cannot access switch embedded managegment

Yes

Yes

Perform log-in according to user's priviliege level to switch

Radius Commands

Avaya P334T-ML User’s Guide

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Avaya P334T-ML manual Illustrates the Radius authentication procedure, Radius Commands