AAA, Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting framework manages the user’s activity on a network it wants to access by authentication, authorization, and accounting mechanism. AAA uses effective identity and access management that enhances network security by ensuring that only those granted access are allowed and their activities while in the network are monitored and logged.
AAA uses methods to challenge and handles user requests for network access by asking them for their authorized and authenticated user credentials to prove that they are legitimate users before gaining access to the network. AAA is widely used in network devices such as routers, switches, and firewalls, just to give a few to control and monitor access within the network.
AAA Server
AAA addresses the limitations of local security configuration and the scalability issues that come with it. For example, if you need to change or add a password, it has to be done locally and on all devices, which will require a lot of time and resources.
An external AAA server solves these issues by centralizing such tasks within the network. Having backup AAA servers in the network ensures redundancy and security throughout the network.
Authentication
The AAA server receives a user authentication request. It challenges the user’s credentials by asking for the username and password, for example, which is encrypted using a hashing algorithm. The AAA server compares the user’s authentication credentials with the user credentials stored in the database.
Authorization
Once the user’s credentials are authenticated, the authorization process determines what that specific user is allowed to do and access within the premise of the network. Users are categorized to know what type of operations they can perform, such as an Administrator or Guest. The user profiles are configured and controlled from the AAA server. This centralized approach eliminates the hassle of editing on a “per box” basis.
Accounting
The last process done in the AAA framework is accounting for everything the user is doing within the network. AAA servers monitor the resources being used during the network access. Accounting also logs the session statistics and auditing usage information, usually for authorization control, billing invoice, resource utilization, trend analysis, and planning the data capacity of the business operations.
AAA Protocols
There are two most commonly used protocols in implementing AAA, Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting in the network. RADIUS and TACACS+ are open standards that different vendors use to ensure security within the network.
Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service (RADIUS) Protocol operates on ports UDP 1645 and UDP 1812 that provide centralized AAA management for users who connect and use Network Access Server (NAS), such as a VPN concentrator, router, and switch. This client/server protocol and software enables remote access servers to communicate with a central server to perform AAA operations for remote users. This protocol operates at the application layer and can use TCP or UDP as a transport protocol.
Terminal Access Controller Access-Control System Plus (TACACS+) – is a remote authentication protocol that allows a remote access server to communicate with an authentication server to validate user access to the network. TACACS+ permits a client to accept a username and password and pass a query to a TACACS+ authentication server.
Download our Free CCNA Study Guide PDF for complete notes on all the CCNA 200-301 exam topics in one book.
AAA stands for authentication, authorization, and accounting. AAA is a framework for intelligently controlling access to computer resources, enforcing policies, auditing usage, and providing the information necessary to bill for services.
AAA stands for authentication, authorization, and accounting. AAA is a framework for intelligently controlling access to computer resources, enforcing policies, auditing usage, and providing the information necessary to bill for services.
Authentication identifies the user. Authorization implements policies that determine which resources and services an authenticated user may access. Accounting keeps track of time and data resources that are used for billing and analysis.
AAA is a standard-based framework used to control who is permitted to use network resources (through authentication), what they are authorized to do (through authorization), and capture the actions performed while accessing the network (through accounting).
Authorization, Authentication, Accounting. RADIUS is one of a number of Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting (AAA) protocols. Other examples of AAA protocols include TACACS+ and Diameter. AAA defines an architecture that authenticates and grants authorization to users and accounts for their activity.
Examples of AAA protocols include: Diameter, a successor to Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service (RADIUS) Terminal Access Controller Access-Control System (TACACS)
Authentication vs. Authorization. So, what is the difference between authentication and authorization? Simply put, authentication is the process of verifying who someone is, whereas authorization is the process of verifying what specific applications, files, and data a user has access to.
aaa authentication login. To set AAA authentication at login, use the aaa authentication login global configuration command. Use the no form of this command to disable AAA authentication.
There are two most commonly used protocols in implementing AAA, Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting in the network. RADIUS and TACACS+ are open standards that different vendors use to ensure security within the network.
Comparing these processes to a real-world example, when you go through security in an airport, you show your ID to authenticate your identity. Then, when you arrive at the gate, you present your boarding pass to the flight attendant, so they can authorize you to board your flight and allow access to the plane.
Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting (AAA) is a security management framework for network access control. It determines which users can access the network and which resources or services are available to authorized users.
Improves Network Security: The framework requires all users and devices to undergo credential-based authentication before receiving network access and enforces the principle of least privilege, preventing malicious or negligent-based behavior that could cause data theft, deletion, or compromise.
Authentication identifies a user.Authorization determines what that user can do on the network.Accounting monitors the network usage time for billing purposes.
The default authentication mode is AAA authentication. To ensure the console port login security, you must change the login password for AAA authentication during first login. After logging in to the device, you can change the authentication mode for the console user interface.
The American Accounting Association (AAA) is an organization that supports worldwide excellence in accounting education, research, and practice. The American Accounting Association is the primary professional association for accounting academics in the United States.
The American Arbitration Association (AAA), founded in 1926, is a private, international not-for-profit provider of conflict management services. The AAA embraces the core values of integrity, conflict management, and quality service.
For authentication and access permission purposes, an AAA server must reference a database of usernames, passwords and access levels. The protocol used to accomplish this is RADIUS. However, in many cases, the back-end database the AAA server uses to verify credentials and access levels is Microsoft AD.
Introduction: My name is Mrs. Angelic Larkin, I am a cute, charming, funny, determined, inexpensive, joyous, cheerful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
We notice you're using an ad blocker
Without advertising income, we can't keep making this site awesome for you.
