ZyWALL 5/35/70 Series User’s Guide

Figure 78 WPA-PSK Authentication

9.13 Introduction to RADIUS

The ZyWALL can use an external RADIUS server to authenticate an unlimited number of users. RADIUS is based on a client-sever model that supports authentication and accounting, where access point is the client and the server is the RADIUS server.

•Authentication

Determines the identity of the users.

•Accounting

Keeps track of the client’s network activity.

RADIUS user is a simple package exchange in which your ZyWALL acts as a message relay between the wireless station and the network RADIUS server.

9.14 WPA with RADIUS Application Example

You need the IP address of the RADIUS server, its port number (default is 1812), and the RADIUS shared secret. A WPA application example with an external RADIUS server looks as follows. "A" is the RADIUS server. "DS" is the distribution system.

1The AP passes the wireless client's authentication request to the RADIUS server.

2The RADIUS server then checks the user's identification against its database and grants or denies network access accordingly.

3The RADIUS server distributes a Pairwise Master Key (PMK) key to the AP that then sets up a key hierarchy and management system, using the pair-wise key to dynamically generate unique data encryption keys to encrypt every data packet that is wirelessly communicated between the AP and the wireless clients.

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Chapter 9 Wireless LAN