The Radius Server, Essay Example

Radius Server Benefits and Requirements

As per network dictionary, “Remote Authentication Dial In User Service (RADIUS) is a protocol for carrying authentication, authorization and con?guration information between a Network Access Server which desires to authenticate its links and a shared Authentication Server. RADIUS uses UDP as the transport protocol. RADIUS also carries accounting information between a Network Access Server and a shared Accounting Server”. Likewise, RADIUS is a security protocol and a “de facto standard protocol for authentication servers” (Radius.2011) that is based on a client/ server architecture and RADIUS server stores security information. Likewise, the clients establish connectivity with the RADIUS server for authentication. By acquiring the RADIUS server, Jan and Kim will have the following advantages:

Advanced Security

Data related to security will be distributed on the network and may include several devices that may interact with the security data. RADIUS server will cater all the security data within the network and stores it on one location or workstation or on a storage device. In this way, risks and vulnerabilities associated with the security data will be mitigated. Moreover, the host that will store the security data will be considered as the RADIUS server (Overview, n.d).

Flexibility

RADIUS is a flexible protocol that can be tailored according to the requirements of Kim and Jim’s office. Moreover, RADIUS can also be integrated with Microsoft operating system environment, as they support RADIUS functionality (Overview, n.d).

Efficient Management

Information related to security is stored on text files at a central located that is the RADIUS server. If there is a requirement of adding new users, network administrator will only update the text file for updating new user information to the database.

Efficient Logging

RADIUS server also facilities auditors by providing a comprehensive audit trails that may support RADIUS accounting features. Moreover, log files can be analyzed for security aspects or can be utilized for billing purposes.

Supported Platforms

The RADIUS server is available for the following operating systems (Overview, n.d):

• SunOS 4.1.4
• Solaris 2.5
• HP/UX 10.01
• Linux 1.2.13 (ELF)
• AIX 3.2.5
• SGI Irix 5.2
• DEC Alpha OSF/1 3.0
• BSD/OS 2.0

RADIUS Server Requirements

By implementing RADIUS server in a domain environment, synchronization with the user account database is achievable. Moreover, RADIUS server also provides a centralized administration of network policies and connection logging for accounting. Furthermore, for achieving centralized authentication, authorization and accounting for several access servers, RADIUS server is recommended (RADIUS server).

RADIUS Server Installation

This section includes a step by step installation guide for installing a RADIUS server. However, in server 2008, RADIUS installation is performed by a network policy server.

Figure 1.1

In fig.1.1, ‘network policy and access services’ will be selected, as this will be the first step in defining server roles.

Figure 1.2

As shown in Fig. 1.2, click the ‘Next’ button and continue,

Figure 1.3

In Fig. 1.3, network administrator will select a role according to the services required.

Figure 1.4

The next step will be to select and install the role service that will be used for network policy and access services, shown in Fig.1.4.

Figure 1.5

After installing the role service, summary will be displayed including all the selected options and configurations. Click ‘Install’, as shown in Fig.1.5

Figure 1.6

After installing role services, now there is a requirement of configuring the network policy server. It can be found in the administrative tools, as shown in Fig. 1.6

Figure 1.7

In fig.1.7, network administrator will select the configuration scenario for setting up RADIUS server. There are total three scenarios available i.e. network access protection, RADIUS server for wired connections and RADIUS server for VPN and Dial-up connections.

Figure 1.8

After selecting the configuration scenario, network administrator will assign IP address, friendly name and shared secret, as shown in Fig.1.8

Figure 1.9

The last option will be to specify the user groups that are already created in a domain environment. Network administrator will only add those user groups who need RAS security.

References

Remote authentication dial in user service security. (2007). Network Dictionary, , 409-409.

Overview, n.d Retrieved 10/31/2011, 2011, from http://www.stat.ufl.edu/system/man/portmaster/RADIUS/guide/1overview.html

Radius.(2011). Computer Desktop Encyclopedia, , 1.

Radius server Retrieved 10/31/2011, 2011, from http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc755248.aspx