Configuring Radius - Cisco Catalyst 4500 series Administration Manual

Controlling Switch Access with RADIUS

Configuring RADIUS

This section describes how to configure your switch to support RADIUS. At a minimum, you must
identify the host or hosts that run the RADIUS server software and define the method lists for RADIUS
authentication. You can optionally define method lists for RADIUS authorization and accounting.
A method list defines the sequence and methods to be used to authenticate, to authorize, or to keep
accounts on a user. You can use method lists to designate one or more security protocols to be used (such
as TACACS+ or local username lookup), thus ensuring a backup system if the initial method fails. The
software uses the first method listed to authenticate, to authorize, or to keep accounts on users. If that
method does not respond, the software selects the next method in the list. This process continues until
there is successful communication with a listed method or the method list is exhausted.
You should have access to and should configure a RADIUS server before configuring RADIUS features
on your switch.
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Default RADIUS Configuration
RADIUS and AAA are disabled by default.
To prevent a lapse in security, you cannot configure RADIUS through a network management
application. When enabled, RADIUS can authenticate users accessing the switch using the CLI.
Identifying the RADIUS Server Host
Switch-to-RADIUS-server communication involves several components:
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Software Configuration Guide—Release IOS XE 3.6.0E and IOS 15.2(2)E
46-104
Default RADIUS Configuration, page 46-104
Identifying the RADIUS Server Host, page 46-104
Configuring RADIUS Login Authentication, page 46-107
Defining AAA Server Groups, page 46-109
Configuring RADIUS Authorization for User Privileged Access and Network Services, page 46-111
(optional)
Starting RADIUS Accounting, page 46-112
Configuring Settings for All RADIUS Servers, page 46-113
Configuring the Switch to Use Vendor-Specific RADIUS Attributes, page 46-113
Configuring the Switch for Vendor-Proprietary RADIUS Server Communication, page 46-115
(optional)
Configuring CoA on the Switch, page 46-116
Monitoring and Troubleshooting CoA Functionality, page 46-117
Configuring RADIUS Server Load Balancing, page 46-117
Hostname or IP address
Authentication destination port
Accounting destination port
Key string
Timeout period
Retransmission value
Chapter 46 Configuring 802.1X Port-Based Authentication
(required)
(required)
(optional)
(optional)
(optional)
(optional)
(optional)
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