TACACS+ Authentication

Configuring TACACS+ on the Switch

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 server-specific encryption key, if any).

tacacs-server key <key-string>

Enters the optional global encryption key.

[no] tacacs-server key

Removes 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.)

Note on Encryption Keys

Encryption keys configured in the switch must exactly match the encryption keys configured in TACACS+ servers the switch will attempt to use for authentication.

If you configure a global encryption key, the switch uses it only with servers for which you have not also configured a server-specific key. Thus, a global key is more useful where the TACACS+ servers you are using all have an identical key, and server-specific keys are necessary where different TACACS+ servers have different keys.

If TACACS+ server “X” does not have an encryption key assigned for the switch, then configuring either a global encryption key or a server-specific key in the switch for server “X” will block authentication support from server “X”.

4-16