An IETF-defined protocol for administering and securing remote access to a network.
RADIUS server software includes three parts: an authentication server, client protocols and an accounting server. These pieces can all run on one machine or on separate ones outfitted with different operating systems. It works by having a user dial in to a remote access server and pass logon name and password information to it. The information is forwarded to a RADIUS authentication server that validates the user and returns the information necessary for the access server to initiate a session with the user.
A dictionary file kept in the RADIUS database determines the types of attributes that can be included in the user profile. The user repeats this process to initiate every session.
Additional resources
RFC 2865
IETF RFC that discusses and defines RADIUS.
Latest security headlines from Network World:
Kaminsky flaw prompts DNS server overhaul
New Orleans IT departments brace for Tropical Storm Gustav
New security rules on tap for credit-card handlers
|
Does Verizon's Voyager stack up to the iPhone? |
|
|
5 IT skills that won't boost your salary 
[1,407]
Women 4 times more likely than men to cough up personal info [589]
Japan's 10 funniest tech-related commercials [Videos] [407]
Throwing away a promo CD is "unauthorized distribution"? [1,265]
Adults too quick to dismiss educational video games [682]
Attack of the iPhone clones [Slideshow] [578]
10 things IT needs to know about AJAX [1,258]
This Year's 25 Geekiest 25th Anniversaries [Slideshow] [409]
|
|
A little on the history of RADIUS
Here's a background on the history of RADIUS: History of the RADIUS Server