C H A P T E R 3

Configuring the CSS as a Client of a

RADIUS Server

The Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service (RADIUS) protocol is a distributed client/server protocol that protects networks against unauthorized access. RADIUS uses the User Datagram Protocol (UDP) to exchange authentication and configuration information between the CSS authentication client and the active authentication server that contains all user authentication and network service access information. The RADIUS host is normally a multiuser system running RADIUS server software.

When a user remotely logs in to a CSS operating as a RADIUS client, the CSS sends an authentication request (including username, encrypted password, client IP address, and port ID) to the central RADIUS server. The RADIUS server is responsible for receiving user connection requests, authenticating users, and returning all configuration information necessary for the client to deliver services to the users. Transactions between the RADIUS client and the RADIUS server are authenticated through the use of a shared secret.

Once the RADIUS server receives the authentication request, it validates the sending client and consults a database of users to match the login request. If no response is returned by the RADIUS server within a period of time, the authentication request is retransmitted a predefined number of times. The RADIUS client can forward requests to an alternate secondary RADIUS server in the event that the primary server is down or is unreachable.

 

 

Cisco Content Services Switch Security Configuration Guide

 

 

 

 

 

 

OL-5650-02

 

 

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