7.8.1.0 - Force10 Networks

AAA Authentication
FTOS supports a distributed client/server system implemented through Authentication, Authorization, and
Accounting (AAA) to help secure networks against unauthorized access. In the Force10 implementation,
the Force10 system acts as a RADIUS or TACACS+ client and sends authentication requests to a central
RADIUS or TACACS+ server that contains all user authentication and network service access information.
Force10 Networks uses local usernames/passwords (stored on the Force10 system) or AAA for login
authentication. With AAA, you can specify the security protocol or mechanism for different login methods
and different users. In FTOS, AAA uses a list of authentication methods, called method lists, to define the
types of authentication and the sequence in which they are applied. You can define a method list or use the
default method list. User-defined method lists take precedence over the default method list.
Configuration Task List for AAA Authentication
The following sections provide the configuration tasks:
• Configure login authentication for terminal lines
• Configure AAA Authentication login methods on page 679
• Enable AAA Authentication on page 680
• AAA Authentication—RADIUS on page 680
For a complete listing of all commands related to login authentication, refer to the Security chapter in the
FTOS Command Reference.
Configure login authentication for terminal lines
You can assign up to five authentication methods to a method list. FTOS evaluates the methods in the order
in which you enter them in each list. If the first method list does not respond or returns an error, FTOS
applies the next method list until the user either passes or fails the authentication. If the user fails a method
list, FTOS does not apply the next method list.
678 Security