Monday, January 15, 2018

Radiator use case: Secure authentication to network devices in corporate network

Radiator AAA Server Software has countless use cases in enterprises. This blog text introduces you a specific use case of real life: authentication of network administrators who configure and maintain corporate network infrastructure. This requires extra security that Radiator is able to provide.



In the example use case, the admins log in to Broadband Network Gateways (BNG) with TACACS+ protocol using their own authentication credentials and passwords. For essential network equipment, a secure two-factor authentication (2FA) is used. Radiator supports a wide range of interfaces for these kinds of authentication use cases. Our customers are free to choose the interfaces and protocols that suit to their own needs.

LDAP user database provides the first factor authentication in the example use case. The second factor is handled by Duo Security.

With AuthBy DUO module, you can configure Radiator to integrate with Duo Security API, which in this case provides the second phase of authentication with Duo Security’s phone application. After the authentication has been confirmed by the application, Radiator will grant access to the network.

Using different 2FA solutions

In addition to TACACS+ protocol, Radiator supports wide range of different authentication protocols that you can use – including RADIUS. It is also possible to use different methods for the first factor authentication and second factor authentication. Radiator supports a number of interfaces suitable for the second factor authentication, and we already have use cases with several different solutions. These interfaces are included in Radiator licences.

If you have any needs for two-factor authentication in your own network, please contact our team at info@radiatorsoftware.com. We are happy to share our experience and help you with your own project.

Updated 6th of February 2018:

You can also learn more about the technical architecture from our earlier post: Secure your network and services with Radiator two-factor authentication.