Enhancements in Release F.02.02

TACACS+ Authentication for Centralized Control of Switch Access Security

Configuring the Switch’s TACACS+ Server AccessThe tacacs-server command configures these parameters:

The host IP address(es) for up to three TACACS+ servers; one first-choice and up to two backups. Designating backup servers provides for a continuation of authentication services in case the switch is unable to contact the first-choice server.

An optional encryption key. This key helps to improve security, and must match the encryption key used in your TACACS+ server application. In some applications, the term "secret key" or "secret" may be used instead of "encryption key". If you need only one encryption key for the switch to use in all attempts to authenticate through a TACACS+ server, configure a global key. However, if the switch is configured to access multiple TACACS+ servers having different encryption keys, you can configure the switch to use different encryption keys for different TACACS+ servers.

The timeout value in seconds for attempts to contact a TACACS+ server. If the switch sends an authentication request, but does not receive a response within the period specified by the timeout value, the switch resends the request to the next server in its Server IP Addr list, if any. If the switch still fails to receive a response from any TACACS+ server, it reverts to whatever secondary authentication method was configured using the aaa authentication command (local or none; see “Configuring the Switch’s Authentication Methods” on page 174.)

Syntax: tacacs-server host <ip-addr> [key < key-string>] Adds a TACACS+ server and optionally assigns a server-specific encryption key.

[no] tacacs-server host <ip-addr>Removes a TACACS+ server assignment (including its encryption key, if any).

tacacs-server key <key-string>Enters the optional global encryption key.
[no] tacacs-server keyRemoves the optional global encryption

 

key. (Does not affect any server-specific

 

encryption key assignments.)
tacacs-server timeout < 1 . . 255 >Changes the wait period for a TACACS

 

server response. (Default: 5 seconds.)

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