TACACS+ Authentication
Configuring TACACS+ on the Switch
| Using the Encryption Key |
| General Operation |
| When used, the encryption key (sometimes termed “key”, “secret key”, or |
| “secret”) helps to prevent unauthorized intruders on the network from reading |
| username and password information in TACACS+ packets moving between |
| the switch and a TACACS+ server. At the TACACS+ server, a key may include |
| both of the following: |
| ■ Global key: A general key assignment in the TACACS+ server appli- |
| cation that applies to all |
| vidual key has not been configured. |
| ■ |
| server application that applies to a specific |
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Note | Configure a key in the switch only if the TACACS+ server application has this |
| exact same key configured for the switch. That is, if the key parameter in |
| switch “X” does not exactly match the key setting for switch “X” in the |
| TACACS+ server application, then communication between the switch and |
| the TACACS+ server will fail. |
| Thus, on the TACACS+ server side, you have a choice as to how to implement |
| |
| a key. On the switch side, it is necessary only to enter the key parameter so |
| that it exactly matches its counterpart in the server. For information on how |
| to configure a general or individual key in the TACACS+ server, refer to the |
| documentation you received with the application. |
| Encryption Options in the Switch |
| When configured, the encryption key causes the switch to encrypt the |
| TACACS+ packets it sends to the server. When left at “null”, the TACACS+ |
| packets are sent in clear text. The encryption key (or just “key”) you configure |
| in the switch must be identical to the encryption key configured in the |
| corresponding TACACS+ server. If the key is the same for all TACACS+ |
| servers the switch will use for authentication, then configure a global key in |
| the switch. If the key is different for one or more of these servers, use “server- |
| specific” keys in the switch. (If you configure both a global key and one or |
| more |
| specified servers.) |