User Guide for Cisco Secure Access Control Server - Stewing Home

OL-14386-02
Overview
Introduction to ACS
CHAPTER
1
This chapter contains an overview of the Cisco Secure Access Control Server Release 4.2, hereafter
referred to as ACS.
The following topics are presented:
Introduction to ACS, page 1-1
ACS Features, Functions and Concepts, page 1-3
Managing and Administrating ACS, page 1-16
ACS Specifications, page 1-22
Online Documentation Reference, page 1-23
Related Documentation, page 1-24
ACS is a scalable, high-performance Remote Access Dial-In User Service (RADIUS) and Terminal
Access Controller Access Control System (TACACS+) security server. As the centralized control point
for managing enterprise network users, network administrators, and network infrastructure resources,
ACS provides a comprehensive identity-based network-access control solution for Cisco intelligent
information networks.
ACS extends network-access security by combining traditional authentication, authorization, and
accounting (AAA) (pronounced "triple-A") with policy control. ACS enforces a uniform network-access
security policy for network administrators and other network users.
ACS extends network-access security by combining AAA with policy control from a centralized
identity-based networking framework. This combination gives enterprise networks greater flexibility,
mobility, and security, resulting in user-productivity gains.
ACS supports a broad variety of Cisco and other network-access devices (NADs), also known as AAA
clients, including:
Wired and wireless LAN switches and access points
Edge and core routers
Dialup and broadband terminators
Content and storage devices
Voice over IP (VoIP)
Firewalls
User Guide for Cisco Secure Access Control Server 4.2
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