Network Device Management is a crucial aspect of managing an organization’s IT infrastructure. It involves the configuration, monitoring, and maintenance of network devices such as switches, routers, firewalls, and access points.
One of the most critical aspects of network device management is authentication, which ensures that only authorized users can access network resources. In this article, we will discuss how to implement RADIUS authentication using Windows Server NPS (Network Policy Server) for network device management.
RADIUS (Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service) is a networking protocol that provides centralized authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) management for users who connect and use a network service. RADIUS is commonly used for wireless networks, VPNs, and network device management.
The protocol works by authenticating users based on their credentials, which are typically a username and password, and then granting or denying access to the network device based on the user’s authorization level.
Windows Server NPS is a RADIUS server that provides authentication, authorization, and accounting services to network devices. It enables organizations to control access to network resources by providing a centralized authentication and authorization mechanism. NPS is a powerful tool that can help organizations enforce security policies, restrict access to sensitive data, and monitor network activity.
To implement RADIUS authentication using Windows Server NPS for network device management, follow these steps:
Install and configure NPS: Install NPS on a Windows Server, and configure it to use RADIUS as the authentication protocol. You can use the NPS wizard to set up RADIUS authentication.
Configure network devices to use RADIUS: Configure your network devices to use RADIUS as the authentication protocol. You will need to provide the IP address of the NPS server, the shared secret, and the RADIUS port number.
Create network policies: In NPS, create network policies that define the conditions under which a user is granted access to the network device. Network policies are a set of rules that define who can access the network device, under what circumstances, and what level of access they have.
Configure authentication methods: Configure the authentication methods that NPS will use to authenticate users. You can use different authentication methods, such as EAP-TLS, PEAP-MSCHAPv2, or EAP-TTLS, depending on your security requirements.
Test the configuration: Test the RADIUS authentication configuration by attempting to access the network device. Verify that you can successfully authenticate, and that you are granted access according to your authorization level.
Implementing RADIUS authentication using Windows Server NPS for network device management provides several benefits. It provides a centralized authentication and authorization mechanism, making it easier to manage user access to network resources. It also enables organizations to enforce security policies, restrict access to sensitive data, and monitor network activity.
In conclusion, implementing RADIUS authentication using Windows Server NPS is an effective way to manage network devices securely. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can set up a robust authentication and authorization mechanism that can help protect your organization’s network resources from unauthorized access.
Create NPS using PowerShell cmdlets and enable RADIUS authentication on Cisco devices:
Creating NPS using PowerShell cmdlets:
Open PowerShell as an administrator.
Install the NPS module by running the following command:
Install-WindowsFeature NPAS-Policy-Server
Create a new NPS server by running the following command:
New-NpsRadiusServer -Name "NPS_Server_Name" -Address "NPS_Server_IP_Address" -AuthenticationPort 1812 -SharedSecret "NPS_Server_Shared_Secret"
Create a new NPS network policy by running the following command:
New-NpsNetworkPolicy -Name "Policy_Name" -TunnelType "VLAN" -EapTls -Enabled -Conditions @{UserGroups="Domain Users"} -AuthenticationMethods @{Eap="EapTls"}
Add the NPS server to Active Directory by running the following command:
Add-Computer -DomainName "domain.com" -Credential "domain\admin" -Restart
Enabling RADIUS authentication on Cisco devices:
Log in to the Cisco device using a console or SSH session.
Enter configuration mode by running the following command: enable
Configure the device to use RADIUS authentication by running the following command:
aaa new-model
Configure the RADIUS server by running the following command:
radius-server host "NPS_Server_IP_Address" auth-port 1812 key "NPS_Server_Shared_Secret"
Enable RADIUS authentication on the desired interfaces by running the following command:
interface "interface_name", followed by the command authentication login radius
By following these steps, you can create an NPS server using PowerShell cmdlets and enable RADIUS authentication on Cisco devices.
This provides a secure authentication and authorization mechanism for managing network devices.
Follow another guide I wrote sometime ago;
Network Device Management with RADIUS Authentication using Windows NPS