Cisco Nexus 7000 Series NX-OS Security Configuration Guide, Release 6.x
Configuring RADIUS
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Contents

Configuring RADIUS

This chapter describes how to configure the Remote Access Dial-In User Service (RADIUS) protocol on Cisco NX-OS devices.

This chapter includes the following sections:

Information About RADIUS

The RADIUS distributed client/server system allows you to secure networks against unauthorized access. In the Cisco implementation, RADIUS clients run on Cisco NX-OS devices and send authentication and accounting requests to a central RADIUS server that contains all user authentication and network service access information.

RADIUS Network Environments

RADIUS can be implemented in a variety of network environments that require high levels of security while maintaining network access for remote users.

You can use RADIUS in the following network environments that require access security:

  • Networks with multiple-vendor network devices, each supporting RADIUS. For example, network devices from several vendors can use a single RADIUS server-based security database.
  • Networks already using RADIUS. You can add a Cisco NX-OS device with RADIUS to the network. This action might be the first step when you make a transition to a AAA server.
  • Networks that require resource accounting. You can use RADIUS accounting independent of RADIUS authentication or authorization. The RADIUS accounting functions allow data to be sent at the start and end of services, indicating the amount of resources (such as time, packets, bytes, and so on) used during the session. An Internet service provider (ISP) might use a freeware-based version of the RADIUS access control and accounting software to meet special security and billing needs.
  • Networks that support authentication profiles. Using the RADIUS server in your network, you can configure AAA authentication and set up per-user profiles. Per-user profiles enable the Cisco NX-OS device to better manage ports using their existing RADIUS solutions and to efficiently manage shared resources to offer different service-level agreements.

RADIUS Operation

When a user attempts to log in and authenticate to a Cisco NX-OS device using RADIUS, the following process occurs:

  • The user is prompted for and enters a username and password.
  • The username and encrypted password are sent over the network to the RADIUS server.
  • The user receives one of the following responses from the RADIUS server:
    ACCEPT
    The user is authenticated.
    REJECT
    The user is not authenticated and is prompted to reenter the username and password, or access is denied.
    CHALLENGE
    A challenge is issued by the RADIUS server. The challenge collects additional data from the user.
    CHANGE PASSWORD
    A request is issued by the RADIUS server, asking the user to select a new password.

The ACCEPT or REJECT response is bundled with additional data that is used for EXEC or network authorization. You must first complete RADIUS authentication before using RADIUS authorization. The additional data included with the ACCEPT or REJECT packets consists of the following:

  • Services that the user can access, including Telnet, rlogin, or local-area transport (LAT) connections, and Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP), Serial Line Internet Protocol (SLIP), or EXEC services.
  • Connection parameters, including the host or client IPv4 or IPv6 address, access list, and user timeouts.

RADIUS Server Monitoring

An unresponsive RADIUS server can cause a delay in processing AAA requests. You can configure the Cisco NX-OS device to periodically monitor a RADIUS server to check whether it is responding (or alive) to save time in processing AAA requests. The Cisco NX-OS device marks unresponsive RADIUS servers as dead and does not send AAA requests to any dead RADIUS servers. The Cisco NX-OS device periodically monitors the dead RADIUS servers and brings them to the alive state once they respond. This monitoring process verifies that a RADIUS server is in a working state before real AAA requests are sent its way. Whenever a RADIUS server changes to the dead or alive state, a Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) trap is generated and the Cisco NX-OS device displays an error message that a failure is taking place.

Figure 1. RADIUS Server States. This figure shows the states for RADIUS server monitoring.


Note

The monitoring interval for alive servers and dead servers are different and can be configured by the user. The RADIUS server monitoring is performed by sending a test authentication request to the RADIUS server.

RADIUS Configuration Distribution

Cisco Fabric Services (CFS) allows the Cisco NX-OS device to distribute the RADIUS configuration to other Cisco NX-OS devices in the network. When you enable CFS distribution for a feature on your device, the device belongs to a CFS region containing other devices in the network that you have also enabled for CFS distribution for the feature. CFS distribution for RADIUS is disabled by default.


Note

You must explicitly enable CFS for RADIUS on each device to which you want to distribute configuration changes.

After you enable CFS distribution for RADIUS on your Cisco NX-OS device, the first RADIUS configuration command that you enter causes the Cisco NX-OS software to take the following actions:

  • Creates a CFS session on your Cisco NX-OS device.
  • Locks the RADIUS configuration on all Cisco NX-OS devices in the CFS region with CFS enabled for RADIUS.
  • Saves the RADIUS configuration changes in a temporary buffer on the Cisco NX-OS device.

The changes stay in the temporary buffer on the Cisco NX-OS device until you explicitly commit them to be distributed to the devices in the CFS region. When you commit the changes, the Cisco NX-OS software takes the following actions:

  • Applies the changes to the running configuration on your Cisco NX-OS device.
  • Distributes the updated RADIUS configuration to the other Cisco NX-OS devices in the CFS region.
  • Unlocks the RADIUS configuration in the devices in the CFS region.
  • Terminates the CFS session.

CFS does not distribute the RADIUS server group configuration or server and global keys. The keys are unique to the Cisco NX-OS device and are not shared with other Cisco NX-OS devices.

For detailed information on CFS, see the Cisco Nexus 7000 Series NX-OS System Management Configuration Guide.

Vendor-Specific Attributes

The Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) draft standard specifies a method for communicating VSAs between the network access server and the RADIUS server. The IETF uses attribute 26. VSAs allow vendors to support their own extended attributes that are not suitable for general use. The Cisco RADIUS implementation supports one vendor-specific option using the format recommended in the specification. The Cisco vendor ID is 9, and the supported option is vendor type 1, which is named cisco-av-pair. The value is a string with the following format:

protocol : attribute separator value *

The protocol is a Cisco attribute for a particular type of authorization, the separator is = (equal sign) for mandatory attributes, and * (asterisk) indicates optional attributes.

When you use RADIUS servers for authentication on a Cisco NX-OS device, the RADIUS protocol directs the RADIUS server to return user attributes, such as authorization information, with authentication results. This authorization information is specified through VSAs.

The following VSA protocol options are supported by the Cisco NX-OS software:

Shell
Protocol used in access-accept packets to provide user profile information.
Accounting
Protocol used in accounting-request packets. If a value contains any white spaces, you should enclose the value within double quotation marks.

The Cisco NX-OS software supports the following attributes:

roles
Lists all the roles to which the user belongs. The value field is a string that lists the role names delimited by white space. For example, if the user belongs to roles network-operator and vdc-admin, the value field would be network-operator vdc-admin. This subattribute, which the RADIUS server sends in the VSA portion of the Access-Accept frames, can only be used with the shell protocol value. The following examples show the roles attribute that is supported by the Cisco Access Control Server (ACS):
shell:roles=network-operator vdc-admin 

shell:roles*“network-operator vdc-admin

The following examples show the roles attribute that is supported by FreeRADIUS:

Cisco-AVPair = shell:roles=\network-operator vdc-admin\

Cisco-AVPair = shell:roles*\network-operator vdc-admin\

Note

When you specify a VSA as shell:roles*"network-operator vdc-admin" or "shell:roles*\"network-operator vdc-admin\"", this VSA is flagged as an optional attribute and other Cisco devices ignore this attribute.

accountinginfo
Stores accounting information in addition to the attributes covered by a standard RADIUS accounting protocol. This attribute is sent only in the VSA portion of the Account-Request frames from the RADIUS client on the switch. It can be used only with the accounting protocol data units (PDUs).

Virtualization Support for RADIUS

RADIUS configuration and operation are local to the virtual device context (VDC). For more information on VDCs, see the Cisco Nexus 7000 Series NX-OS Virtual Device Context Configuration Guide.

The Cisco NX-OS device uses virtual routing and forwarding instances (VRFs) to access the RADIUS servers. For more information on VRFs, see the Cisco Nexus 7000 Series NX-OS Unicast Routing Configuration Guide.

Licensing Requirements for RADIUS

This table shows the licensing requirements for this feature.

Product

License Requirement

Cisco NX-OS

RADIUS requires no license. Any feature not included in a license package is bundled with the Cisco NX-OS system images and is provided at no extra charge to you.

For an explanation of the Cisco NX-OS licensing scheme, see the Cisco NX-OS Licensing Guide.

Prerequisites for RADIUS

RADIUS has the following prerequisites:

  • Obtain IPv4 or IPv6 addresses or hostnames for the RADIUS servers.
  • Obtain keys from the RADIUS servers.
  • Ensure that the Cisco NX-OS device is configured as a RADIUS client of the AAA servers.

Guidelines and Limitations for RADIUS

RADIUS has the following guidelines and limitations:

  • You can configure a maximum of 64 RADIUS servers on the Cisco NX-OS device.
  • If you have a user account configured on the local Cisco NX-OS device that has the same name as a remote user account on an AAA server, the Cisco NX-OS software applies the user roles for the local user account to the remote user, not the user roles configured on the AAA server.
  • Only the RADIUS protocol supports one-time passwords.

Default Settings for RADIUS

This table lists the default settings for RADIUS parameters.

Table 1  Default RADIUS Parameter Settings

Parameters

Default

Server roles

Authentication and accounting

Dead timer interval

0 minutes

Retransmission count

1

Retransmission timer interval

5 seconds

Authentication port

1812

Accouinting port

1813

Idle timer interval

0 minutes

Periodic server monitoring username

test

Periodic server monitoring password

test

Configuring RADIUS Servers

This section describes how to configure RADIUS servers on a Cisco NX-OS device.


Note

If you are familiar with the Cisco IOS CLI, be aware that the Cisco NX-OS commands for this feature might differ from the Cisco IOS commands that you would use.

RADIUS Server Configuration Process

  1. If needed, enable CFS configuration distribution for RADIUS.
  2. Establish the RADIUS server connections to the Cisco NX-OS device.
  3. Configure the RADIUS secret keys for the RADIUS servers.
  4. If needed, configure RADIUS server groups with subsets of the RADIUS servers for AAA authentication methods.
  5. If needed, configure any of the following optional parameters:
    • Dead-time interval
    • RADIUS server specification allowed at user login
    • Timeout interval
    • TCP port
  6. (Optional) If RADIUS distribution is enabled, commit the RADIUS configuration to the fabric.

Enabling RADIUS Configuration Distribution

Only Cisco NX-OS devices that have distribution enabled for RADIUS can participate in the distribution of the RADIUS configuration changes in the CFS region.

Before You Begin

Ensure that CFS distribution is enabled.

SUMMARY STEPS

    1.    configure terminal

    2.    radius distribute

    3.    exit

    4.    (Optional) show radius status

    5.    (Optional) copy running-config startup-config


DETAILED STEPS
     Command or ActionPurpose
    Step 1 configure terminal


    Example: 
    switch# configure terminal
switch(config)#
     

    Enters global configuration mode.

     
    Step 2 radius distribute


    Example: 
    switch(config)# radius distribute
     

    Enable RADIUS configuration distribution. The default is disabled.

     
    Step 3 exit


    Example: 
    switch(config)# exit
switch#
     

    Exits configuration mode.

     
    Step 4 show radius status


    Example: 
    switch(config)# show radius status
          		(Optional)

    Displays the RADIUS CFS distribution configuration.

     
    Step 5 copy running-config startup-config


    Example: 
    switch# copy running-config startup-config
          		(Optional)

    Copies the running configuration to the startup configuration.

     

    Configuring RADIUS Server Hosts

    To access a remote RADIUS server, you must configure the IP address or hostname of a RADIUS server. You can configure up to 64 RADIUS servers.


    Note

    By default, when you configure a RADIUS server IP address or hostname of the Cisco NX-OS device, the RADIUS server is added to the default RADIUS server group. You can also add the RADIUS server to another RADIUS server group.

    Before You Begin

    Ensure that the server is already configured as a member of the server group.

    Ensure that the server is configured to authenticate RADIUS traffic.

    Ensure that the Cisco NX-OS device is configured as a RADIUS client of the AAA servers.

    SUMMARY STEPS

      1.    configure terminal

      2.    radius-server host {ipv4-address | ipv6-address | host-name}

      3.    (Optional) show radius {pending | pending-diff}

      4.    (Optional) radius commit

      5.    exit

      6.    (Optional) show radius-server

      7.    (Optional) copy running-config startup-config


    DETAILED STEPS
       Command or ActionPurpose
      Step 1 configure terminal


      Example: 
      switch# configure terminal
switch(config)#
       

      Enters global configuration mode.

       
      Step 2 radius-server host {ipv4-address | ipv6-address | host-name}


      Example: 
      switch(config)# radius-server host 10.10.1.1
       

      Specifies the IPv4 or IPv6 address or hostname for a RADIUS server to use for authentication.

       
      Step 3 show radius {pending | pending-diff}


      Example: 
      switch(config)# show radius pending
              		(Optional)

      Displays the RADIUS configuration pending for distribution.

       
      Step 4 radius commit


      Example: 
      switch(config)# radius commit
              		(Optional)

      Applies the RADIUS configuration changes in the temporary database to the running configuration and distributes the RADIUS configuration to other Cisco NX-OS devices if you have enabled CFS configuration distribution for the user role feature.

       
      Step 5 exit


      Example: 
      switch(config)# exit
switch#
       

      Exits configuration mode.

       
      Step 6 show radius-server


      Example: 
      switch# show radius-server
              		(Optional)

      Displays the RADIUS server configuration.

       
      Step 7 copy running-config startup-config


      Example: 
      switch# copy running-config startup-config
              		(Optional)

      Copies the running configuration to the startup configuration.

       

      Configuring Global RADIUS Keys

      You can configure RADIUS keys for all servers used by the Cisco NX-OS device. A RADIUS key is a shared secret text string between the Cisco NX-OS device and the RADIUS server hosts.


      Note

      CFS does not distribute RADIUS keys.

      Before You Begin

      Obtain the RADIUS key values for the remote RADIUS servers.

      Configure the RADIUS key on the remote RADIUS servers.

      SUMMARY STEPS

        1.    configure terminal

        2.    radius-server key [0 | 6 | 7] key-value

        3.    exit

        4.    (Optional) show radius-server

        5.    (Optional) copy running-config startup-config


      DETAILED STEPS
         Command or ActionPurpose
        Step 1 configure terminal


        Example: 
        switch# configure terminal
switch(config)#
         

        Enters global configuration mode.

         
        Step 2 radius-server key [0 | 6 | 7] key-value


        Example: 
        switch(config)# radius-server key 0 QsEfThUkO
         

        Specifies a RADIUS key for all RADIUS servers. You can specify that the key-value is in clear text format (0), is type-6 encrypted (6), or is type-7 encrypted (7). The Cisco NX-OS software encrypts a clear text key before saving it to the running configuration. The default format is clear text. The maximum length is 63 characters.

        By default, no RADIUS key is configured.

         
        Step 3 exit


        Example: 
        switch(config)# exit
switch#
         

        Exits configuration mode.

         
        Step 4 show radius-server


        Example: 
        switch# show radius-server
                  		(Optional)

        Displays the RADIUS server configuration.

        Note   

        The RADIUS keys are saved in encrypted form in the running configuration. Use the show running-config command to display the encrypted RADIUS keys.

         
        Step 5 copy running-config startup-config


        Example: 
        switch# copy running-config startup-config
                  		(Optional)

        Copies the running configuration to the startup configuration.

         

        Configuring a Key for a Specific RADIUS Server

        You can configure a key on the Cisco NX-OS device for a specific RADIUS server. A RADIUS key is a secret text string shared between the Cisco NX-OS device and a specific RADIUS server.

        Before You Begin

        Configure one or more RADIUS server hosts.

        Obtain the key value for the remote RADIUS server.

        Configure the key on the RADIUS server.

        SUMMARY STEPS

          1.    configure terminal

          2.    radius-server host {ipv4-address | ipv6-address | host-name} key [0 | 6 | 7] key-value

          3.    exit

          4.    (Optional) show radius-server

          5.    (Optional) copy running-config startup-config


        DETAILED STEPS
           Command or ActionPurpose
          Step 1 configure terminal


          Example: 
          switch# configure terminal
switch(config)#
           

          Enters global configuration mode.

           
          Step 2 radius-server host {ipv4-address | ipv6-address | host-name} key [0 | 6 | 7] key-value


          Example: 
          switch(config)# radius-server host 10.10.1.1 key 0 PlIjUhYg
           

          Specifies a RADIUS key for a specific RADIUS server. You can specify that the key-value is in clear text format (0), is type-6 encrypted (6), or is type-7 encrypted (7). The Cisco NX-OS software encrypts a clear text key before saving it to the running configuration. The default format is clear text. The maximum length is 63 characters.

          This RADIUS key is used instead of the global RADIUS key.

           
          Step 3 exit


          Example: 
          switch(config)# exit
switch#
           

          Exits configuration mode.

           
          Step 4 show radius-server


          Example: 
          switch# show radius-server
                      		(Optional)

          Displays the RADIUS server configuration.

          Note   

          The RADIUS keys are saved in encrypted form in the running configuration. Use the show running-config command to display the encrypted RADIUS keys.

           
          Step 5 copy running-config startup-config


          Example: 
          switch# copy running-config startup-config
                      		(Optional)

          Copies the running configuration to the startup configuration.

           

          Configuring RADIUS Server Groups

          You can specify one or more remote AAA servers for authentication using server groups. All members of a group must belong to the RADIUS protocol. The servers are tried in the same order in which you configure them. You can configure up to 100 server groups in a VDC.

          You can configure these server groups at any time but they only take effect when you apply them to an AAA service.


          Note

          CFS does not distribute RADIUS server group configurations.

          Before You Begin

          Ensure that all servers in the group are RADIUS servers.

          SUMMARY STEPS

            1.    configure terminal

            2.    aaa group server radius group-name

            3.    server {ipv4-address | ipv6-address | host-name}

            4.    (Optional) deadtime minutes

            5.    (Optional) server {ipv4-address | ipv6-address | host-name}

            6.    (Optional) use-vrf vrf-name

            7.    exit

            8.    (Optional) show radius-server groups [group-name]

            9.    (Optional) copy running-config startup-config


          DETAILED STEPS
             Command or ActionPurpose
            Step 1 configure terminal


            Example: 
            switch# configure terminal
switch(config)#
             

            Enters global configuration mode.

             
            Step 2 aaa group server radius group-name


            Example: 
            switch(config)# aaa group server radius RadServer
switch(config-radius)#
             

            Creates a RADIUS server group and enters the RADIUS server group configuration submode for that group. The group-name argument is a case-sensitive alphanumeric string with a maximum length of 127 characters.

             
            Step 3 server {ipv4-address | ipv6-address | host-name}


            Example: 
            switch(config-radius)# server 10.10.1.1
             

            Configures the RADIUS server as a member of the RADIUS server group.

            If the specified RADIUS server is not found, configure it using the radius-server host command and retry this command.

             
            Step 4 deadtime minutes


            Example: 
            switch(config-radius)# deadtime 30
                          		(Optional)

            Configures the monitoring dead time. The default is 0 minutes. The range is from 1 through 1440.

            Note   

            If the dead-time interval for a RADIUS server group is greater than zero (0), that value takes precedence over the global dead-time value.

             
            Step 5 server {ipv4-address | ipv6-address | host-name}


            Example:
            switch(config-radius)# server 10.10.1.1
                          		(Optional)

            Configures the RADIUS server as a member of the RADIUS server group.

            Tip   

            If the specified RADIUS server is not found, configure it using the radius-server host command and retry this command.

             
            Step 6 use-vrf vrf-name


            Example: 
            switch(config-radius)# use-vrf vrf1
                          		(Optional)

            Specifies the VRF to use to contact the servers in the server group.

             
            Step 7 exit


            Example: 
            switch(config-radius)# exit
switch(config)#
             

            Exits configuration mode.

             
            Step 8 show radius-server groups [group-name]


            Example: 
            switch(config)# show radius-server groups
                          		(Optional)

            Displays the RADIUS server group configuration.

             
            Step 9 copy running-config startup-config


            Example: 
            switch(config)# copy running-config startup-config
                          		(Optional)

            Copies the running configuration to the startup configuration.

             

            Configuring the Global Source Interface for RADIUS Server Groups

            You can configure a global source interface for RADIUS server groups to use when accessing RADIUS servers. You can also configure a different source interface for a specific RADIUS server group. By default, the Cisco NX-OS software uses any available interface.

            SUMMARY STEPS

              1.    configure terminal

              2.    ip radius source-interface interface

              3.    exit

              4.    (Optional) show radius-server

              5.    (Optional) copy running-config startup config


            DETAILED STEPS
               Command or ActionPurpose
              Step 1 configure terminal


              Example: 
              switch# configure terminal
switch(config)
               

              Enters global configuration mode.

               
              Step 2 ip radius source-interface interface


              Example:
              switch(config)# ip radius source-interface mgmt 0
               

              Configures the global source interface for all RADIUS server groups configured on the device.

               
              Step 3exit


              Example:
              switch(config)# exit
switch#
               

              Exits configuration mode.

               
              Step 4show radius-server


              Example:
              switch# show radius-server
                              		(Optional)

              Displays the RADIUS server configuration information.

               
              Step 5copy running-config startup config


              Example:
              switch# copy running-config startup-config
                              		(Optional)

              Copies the running configuration to the startup configuration.

               

              Allowing Users to Specify a RADIUS Server at Login

              By default, the Cisco NX-OS device forwards an authentication request based on the default AAA authentication method. You can configure the Cisco NX-OS device to allow the user to specify a VRF and RADIUS server to send the authentication request by enabling the directed-request option. If you enable this option, the user can log in as username@vrfname:hostname, where vrfname is the VRF to use and hostname is the name of a configured RADIUS server.


              Note

              If you enable the directed-request option, the Cisco NX-OS device uses only the RADIUS method for authentication and not the default local method.


              Note

              User-specified logins are supported only for Telnet sessions.

              SUMMARY STEPS

                1.    configure terminal

                2.    radius-server directed-request

                3.    (Optional) show radius {pending | pending-diff}

                4.    (Optional) radius commit

                5.    exit

                6.    (Optional) show radius-server directed-request

                7.    (Optional) copy running-config startup-config


              DETAILED STEPS
                 Command or ActionPurpose
                Step 1 configure terminal


                Example: 
                switch# configure terminal
switch(config)#
                 

                Enters global configuration mode.

                 
                Step 2 radius-server directed-request


                Example: 
                switch(config)# radius-server directed-request
                 

                Allows users to specify a RADIUS server to send the authentication request when logging in. The default is disabled.

                 
                Step 3 show radius {pending | pending-diff}


                Example: 
                switch(config)# show radius pending
                                  		(Optional)

                Displays the RADIUS configuration pending for distribution.

                 
                Step 4 radius commit


                Example: 
                switch(config)# radius commit
                                  		(Optional)

                Applies the RADIUS configuration changes in the temporary database to the running configuration and distributes the RADIUS configuration to other Cisco NX-OS devices if you have enabled CFS configuration distribution for the user role feature.

                 
                Step 5 exit


                Example: 
                switch(config)# exit
switch#
                 

                Exits configuration mode.

                 
                Step 6 show radius-server directed-request


                Example: 
                switch# show radius-server directed-request
                                  		(Optional)

                Displays the directed request configuration.

                 
                Step 7 copy running-config startup-config


                Example: 
                switch# copy running-config startup-config
                                  		(Optional)

                Copies the running configuration to the startup configuration.

                 

                Configuring the Global RADIUS Transmission Retry Count and Timeout Interval

                You can configure a global retransmission retry count and timeout interval for all RADIUS servers. By default, a Cisco NX-OS device retries transmission to a RADIUS server only once before reverting to local authentication. You can increase this number up to a maximum of five retries per server. The timeout interval determines how long the Cisco NX-OS device waits for responses from RADIUS servers before declaring a timeout failure.

                SUMMARY STEPS

                  1.    configure terminal

                  2.    radius-server retransmit count

                  3.    radius-server timeout seconds

                  4.    (Optional) show radius {pending | pending-diff}

                  5.    (Optional) radius commit

                  6.    exit

                  7.    (Optional) show radius-server

                  8.    (Optional) copy running-config startup-config


                DETAILED STEPS
                   Command or ActionPurpose
                  Step 1 configure terminal


                  Example: 
                  switch# configure terminal
switch(config)#
                   

                  Enters global configuration mode.

                   
                  Step 2 radius-server retransmit count


                  Example: 
                  switch(config)# radius-server retransmit 3
                   

                  Specifies the retransmission count for all RADIUS servers. The default retransmission count is 1 and the range is from 0 to 5.

                   
                  Step 3 radius-server timeout seconds


                  Example: 
                  switch(config)# radius-server timeout 10
                   

                  Specifies the transmission timeout interval for RADIUS servers. The default timeout interval is 5 seconds and the range is from 1 to 60 seconds.

                   
                  Step 4 show radius {pending | pending-diff}


                  Example: 
                  switch(config)# show radius pending
                                      		(Optional)

                  Displays the RADIUS configuration pending for distribution.

                   
                  Step 5 radius commit


                  Example: 
                  switch(config)# radius commit
                                      		(Optional)

                  Applies the RADIUS configuration changes in the temporary database to the running configuration and distributes the RADIUS configuration to other Cisco NX-OS devices if you have enabled CFS configuration distribution for the user role feature.

                   
                  Step 6 exit


                  Example: 
                  switch(config)# exit
switch#
                   

                  Exits configuration mode.

                   
                  Step 7 show radius-server


                  Example: 
                  switch# show radius-server
                                      		(Optional)

                  Displays the RADIUS server configuration.

                   
                  Step 8 copy running-config startup-config


                  Example: 
                  switch# copy running-config startup-config
                                      		(Optional)

                  Copies the running configuration to the startup configuration.

                   

                  Configuring the RADIUS Transmission Retry Count and Timeout Interval for a Server

                  By default, a Cisco NX-OS device retries a transmission to a RADIUS server only once before reverting to local authentication. You can increase this number up to a maximum of five retries per server. You can also set a timeout interval that the Cisco NX-OS device waits for responses from RADIUS servers before declaring a timeout failure.

                  Before You Begin

                  Configure one or more RADIUS server hosts.

                  SUMMARY STEPS

                    1.    configure terminal

                    2.    radius-server host {ipv4-address | ipv6-address | host-name} retransmit count

                    3.    radius-server host {ipv4-address | ipv6-address | host-name} timeout seconds

                    4.    (Optional) show radius {pending | pending-diff}

                    5.    (Optional) radius commit

                    6.    exit

                    7.    (Optional) show radius-server

                    8.    (Optional) copy running-config startup-config


                  DETAILED STEPS
                     Command or ActionPurpose
                    Step 1 configure terminal


                    Example: 
                    switch# configure terminal
switch(config)#
                     

                    Enters global configuration mode.

                     
                    Step 2 radius-server host {ipv4-address | ipv6-address | host-name} retransmit count


                    Example: 
                    switch(config)# radius-server host server1 retransmit 3
                     

                    Specifies the retransmission count for a specific server. The default is the global value.

                    Note   

                    The retransmission count value specified for a RADIUS server overrides the count specified for all RADIUS servers.

                     
                    Step 3 radius-server host {ipv4-address | ipv6-address | host-name} timeout seconds


                    Example: 
                    switch(config)# radius-server host server1 timeout 10
                     

                    Specifies the transmission timeout interval for a specific server. The default is the global value.

                    Note   

                    The timeout interval value specified for a RADIUS server overrides the interval value specified for all RADIUS servers.

                     
                    Step 4 show radius {pending | pending-diff}


                    Example: 
                    switch(config)# show radius pending
                                          		(Optional)

                    Displays the RADIUS configuration pending for distribution.

                     
                    Step 5 radius commit


                    Example: 
                    switch(config)# radius commit
                                          		(Optional)

                    Applies the RADIUS configuration changes in the temporary database to the running configuration and distributes RADIUS configuration to other Cisco NX-OS devices if you have enabled CFS configuration distribution for the user role feature.

                     
                    Step 6 exit


                    Example: 
                    switch(config)# exit
switch#
                     

                    Exits configuration mode.

                     
                    Step 7 show radius-server


                    Example: 
                    switch# show radius-server
                                          		(Optional)

                    Displays the RADIUS server configuration.

                     
                    Step 8 copy running-config startup-config


                    Example: 
                    switch# copy running-config startup-config
                                          		(Optional)

                    Copies the running configuration to the startup configuration.

                     

                    Configuring Accounting and Authentication Attributes for RADIUS Servers

                    You can specify that a RADIUS server is to be used only for accounting purposes or only for authentication purposes. By default, RADIUS servers are used for both accounting and authentication. You can also specify the destination UDP port numbers where RADIUS accounting and authentication messages should be sent if there is a conflict with the default port.

                    Before You Begin

                    Configure one or more RADIUS server hosts.

                    SUMMARY STEPS

                      1.    configure terminal

                      2.    (Optional) radius-server host {ipv4-address | ipv6-address | host-name} acct-port udp-port

                      3.    (Optional) radius-server host {ipv4-address | ipv6-address | host-name} accounting

                      4.    (Optional) radius-server host {ipv4-address | ipv6-address | host-name} auth-port udp-port

                      5.    (Optional) radius-server host {ipv4-address | ipv6-address | host-name} authentication

                      6.    (Optional) show radius {pending | pending-diff}

                      7.    (Optional) radius commit

                      8.    exit

                      9.    (Optional) show radius-server

                      10.    (Optional) copy running-config startup-config


                    DETAILED STEPS
                       Command or ActionPurpose
                      Step 1 configure terminal


                      Example: 
                      switch# configure terminal
switch(config)#
                       

                      Enters global configuration mode.

                       
                      Step 2 radius-server host {ipv4-address | ipv6-address | host-name} acct-port udp-port


                      Example: 
                      switch(config)# radius-server host 10.10.1.1 acct-port 2004
                                              		(Optional)

                      Specifies a UDP port to use for RADIUS accounting messages. The default UDP port is 1813. The range is from 0 to 65535.

                       
                      Step 3 radius-server host {ipv4-address | ipv6-address | host-name} accounting


                      Example: 
                      switch(config)# radius-server host 10.10.1.1 accounting
                                              		(Optional)

                      Specifies to use the RADIUS server only for accounting purposes. The default is both accounting and authentication.

                       
                      Step 4 radius-server host {ipv4-address | ipv6-address | host-name} auth-port udp-port


                      Example: 
                      switch(config)# radius-server host 10.10.2.2 auth-port 2005
                                              		(Optional)

                      Specifies a UDP port to use for RADIUS authentication messages. The default UDP port is 1812. The range is from 0 to 65535.

                       
                      Step 5 radius-server host {ipv4-address | ipv6-address | host-name} authentication


                      Example: 
                      switch(config)# radius-server host 10.10.2.2 authentication
                                              		(Optional)

                      Specifies to use the RADIUS server only for authentication purposes. The default is both accounting and authentication.

                       
                      Step 6 show radius {pending | pending-diff}


                      Example: 
                      switch(config)# show radius pending
                                              		(Optional)

                      Displays the RADIUS configuration pending for distribution.

                       
                      Step 7 radius commit


                      Example: 
                      switch(config)# radius commit
                                              		(Optional)

                      Applies the RADIUS configuration changes in the temporary database to the running configuration and distributes the RADIUS configuration to other Cisco NX-OS devices if you have enabled CFS configuration distribution for the user role feature.

                       
                      Step 8 exit


                      Example: 
                      switch(config)# exit
switch#
                       

                      Exits configuration mode.

                       
                      Step 9 show radius-server


                      Example: 
                      switch(config)# show radius-server
                                              		(Optional)

                      Displays the RADIUS server configuration.

                       
                      Step 10 copy running-config startup-config


                      Example: 
                      switch# copy running-config startup-config
                                              		(Optional)

                      Copies the running configuration to the startup configuration.

                       

                      Configuring Global Periodic RADIUS Server Monitoring

                      You can monitor the availability of all RADIUS servers without having to configure the test parameters for each server individually. Any servers for which test parameters are not configured are monitored using the global level parameters.


                      Note

                      Test parameters that are configured for individual servers take precedence over global test parameters.

                      The global configuration parameters include the username and password to use for the servers and an idle timer. The idle timer specifies the interval in which a RADIUS server receives no requests before the Cisco NX-OS device sends out a test packet. You can configure this option to test servers periodically, or you can run a one-time only test.


                      Note

                      CFS does not distribute global RADIUS server group configurations.


                      Note

                      To protect network security, we recommend that you use a username that is not the same as an existing username in the RADIUS database.


                      Note

                      The default idle timer value is 0 minutes. When the idle time interval is 0 minutes, periodic RADIUS server monitoring is not performed.

                      Before You Begin

                      Enable RADIUS.

                      SUMMARY STEPS

                        1.    configure terminal

                        2.    radius-server test {idle-time minutes | password password [idle-time minutes] | username name [password password [idle-time minutes]]}

                        3.    radius-server deadtime minutes

                        4.    exit

                        5.    (Optional) show radius-server

                        6.    (Optional) copy running-config startup-config


                      DETAILED STEPS
                         Command or ActionPurpose
                        Step 1 configure terminal


                        Example: 
                        switch# configure terminal
switch(config)#
                         

                        Enters global configuration mode.

                         
                        Step 2 radius-server test {idle-time minutes | password password [idle-time minutes] | username name [password password [idle-time minutes]]}


                        Example: 
                        switch(config)# radius-server test username user1 password Ur2Gd2BH idle-time 3
                         

                        Specifies parameters for global server monitoring. The default username is test, and the default password is test. The default value for the idle timer is 0 minutes, and the valid range is from 0 to 1440 minutes.

                        Note   

                        For periodic RADIUS server monitoring, the idle timer value must be greater than 0.

                         
                        Step 3 radius-server deadtime minutes


                        Example: 
                        switch(config)# radius-server deadtime 5
                         

                        Specifies the number of minutes before the Cisco NX-OS device checks a RADIUS server that was previously unresponsive. The default value is 0 minutes, and the valid range is from 0 to 1440 minutes.

                         
                        Step 4 exit


                        Example: 
                        switch(config)# exit
switch#
                         

                        Exits configuration mode.

                         
                        Step 5 show radius-server


                        Example: 
                        switch# show radius-server
                                                  		(Optional)

                        Displays the RADIUS server configuration.

                         
                        Step 6 copy running-config startup-config


                        Example: 
                        switch# copy running-config startup-config
                                                  		(Optional)

                        Copies the running configuration to the startup configuration.

                         

                        Configuring Periodic RADIUS Server Monitoring on Individual Servers

                        You can monitor the availability of individual RADIUS servers. The configuration parameters include the username and password to use for the server and an idle timer. The idle timer specifies the interval during which a RADIUS server receives no requests before the Cisco NX-OS device sends out a test packet. You can configure this option to test servers periodically, or you can run a one-time only test.


                        Note

                        Test parameters that are configured for individual servers take precedence over global test parameters.


                        Note

                        For security reasons, we recommend that you do not configure a test username that is the same as an existing user in the RADIUS database.


                        Note

                        The default idle timer value is 0 minutes. When the idle time interval is 0 minutes, the Cisco NX-OS device does not perform periodic RADIUS server monitoring.

                        Before You Begin

                        Enable RADIUS.

                        Add one or more RADIUS server hosts.

                        SUMMARY STEPS

                          1.    configure terminal

                          2.    radius-server host {ipv4-address | ipv6-address | host-name} test {idle-time minutes | password password [idle-time minutes] | username name [password password [idle-time minutes]]}

                          3.    radius-server deadtime minutes

                          4.    exit

                          5.    (Optional) show radius-server

                          6.    (Optional) copy running-config startup-config


                        DETAILED STEPS
                           Command or ActionPurpose
                          Step 1 configure terminal


                          Example: 
                          switch# configure terminal
switch(config)#
                           

                          Enters global configuration mode.

                           
                          Step 2 radius-server host {ipv4-address | ipv6-address | host-name} test {idle-time minutes | password password [idle-time minutes] | username name [password password [idle-time minutes]]}


                          Example: 
                          switch(config)# radius-server host 10.10.1.1 test username user1 password Ur2Gd2BH idle-time 3
                           

                          Specifies parameters for individual server monitoring. The default username is test, and the default password is test. The default value for the idle timer is 0 minutes, and the valid range is from 0 to 1440 minutes.

                          Note   

                          For periodic RADIUS server monitoring, you must set the idle timer to a value greater than 0.

                           
                          Step 3 radius-server deadtime minutes


                          Example: 
                          switch(config)# radius-server deadtime 5
                           

                          Specifies the number of minutes before the Cisco NX-OS device checks a RADIUS server that was previously unresponsive. The default value is 0 minutes, and the valid range is from 1 to 1440 minutes.

                           
                          Step 4 exit


                          Example: 
                          switch(config)# exit
switch#
                           

                          Exits configuration mode.

                           
                          Step 5 show radius-server


                          Example: 
                          switch# show radius-server
                                                      		(Optional)

                          Displays the RADIUS server configuration.

                           
                          Step 6 copy running-config startup-config


                          Example: 
                          switch# copy running-config startup-config
                                                      		(Optional)

                          Copies the running configuration to the startup configuration.

                           

                          Configuring the RADIUS Dead-Time Interval

                          You can configure the dead-time interval for all RADIUS servers. The dead-time interval specifies the time that the Cisco NX-OS device waits after declaring a RADIUS server is dead, before sending out a test packet to determine if the server is now alive. The default value is 0 minutes.


                          Note

                          When the dead-time interval is 0 minutes, RADIUS servers are not marked as dead even if they are not responding. You can configure the dead-time interval for a RADIUS server group.

                          SUMMARY STEPS

                            1.    configure terminal

                            2.    radius-server deadtime minutes

                            3.    (Optional) show radius {pending | pending-diff}

                            4.    (Optional) radius commit

                            5.    exit

                            6.    (Optional) show radius-server

                            7.    (Optional) copy running-config startup-config


                          DETAILED STEPS
                             Command or ActionPurpose
                            Step 1 configure terminal


                            Example: 
                            switch# configure terminal
switch(config)#
                             

                            Enters global configuration mode.

                             
                            Step 2 radius-server deadtime minutes


                            Example: 
                            switch(config)# radius-server deadtime 5
                             

                            Configures the dead-time interval. The default value is 0 minutes. The range is from 1 to 1440 minutes.

                             
                            Step 3 show radius {pending | pending-diff}


                            Example: 
                            switch(config)# show radius pending
                                                          		(Optional)

                            Displays the RADIUS configuration pending for distribution.

                             
                            Step 4 radius commit


                            Example: 
                            switch(config)# radius commit
                                                          		(Optional)

                            Applies the RADIUS configuration changes in the temporary database to the running configuration and distributes the RADIUS configuration to other Cisco NX-OS devices if you have enabled CFS configuration distribution for the user role feature.

                             
                            Step 5 exit


                            Example: 
                            switch(config)# exit
switch#
                             

                            Exits configuration mode.

                             
                            Step 6 show radius-server


                            Example: 
                            switch# show radius-server
                                                          		(Optional)

                            Displays the RADIUS server configuration.

                             
                            Step 7 copy running-config startup-config


                            Example: 
                            switch# copy running-config startup-config
                                                          		(Optional)

                            Copies the running configuration to the startup configuration.

                             

                            Configuring One-Time Passwords

                            One-time password (OTP) support is available for Cisco NX-OS devices through the use of RSA SecurID token servers. With this feature, users authenticate to a Cisco NX-OS device by entering both a personal identification number (or one-time password) and the token code being displayed at that moment on their RSA SecurID token.


                            Note

                            The token code used for logging into the Cisco NX-OS device changes every 60 seconds. To prevent problems with device discovery, we recommend using different usernames that are present on the Cisco Secure ACS internal database.

                            Before You Begin

                            On the Cisco NX-OS device, configure a RADIUS server host and remote default login authentication.

                            Ensure that the following are installed:
                            • Cisco Secure Access Control Server (ACS) version 4.2
                            • RSA Authentication Manager version 7.1 (the RSA SecurID token server)
                            • RSA ACE Agent/Client

                            No configuration (other than a RADIUS server host and remote authentication) is required on the Cisco NX-OS device to support one-time passwords. However, you must configure the Cisco Secure ACS as follows:

                            1. Enable RSA SecurID token server authentication.
                            2. Add the RSA SecurID token server to the Unknown User Policy database.

                            Committing the RADIUS Distribution

                            You can apply the RADIUS global and server-specific configuration stored in the temporary buffer to the running configuration across all devices in the fabric (including the originating device).

                            SUMMARY STEPS

                              1.    configure terminal

                              2.    (Optional) show radius {pending | pending-diff}

                              3.    radius commit

                              4.    exit

                              5.    (Optional) show role session status

                              6.    (Optional) copy running-config startup-config


                            DETAILED STEPS
                               Command or ActionPurpose
                              Step 1 configure terminal


                              Example: 
                              switch# configure terminal
switch(config)#
                               

                              Enters global configuration mode.

                               
                              Step 2 show radius {pending | pending-diff}


                              Example: 
                              switch(config)# show radius pending
                                                              		(Optional)

                              Displays the RADIUS configuration pending for distribution.

                               
                              Step 3 radius commit


                              Example: 
                              switch(config)# radius commit
                               

                              Applies the RADIUS configuration changes in the temporary database to the running configuration and distributes the RADIUS configuration to other Cisco NX-OS devices if you have enabled CFS configuration distribution for the user role feature.

                               
                              Step 4 exit


                              Example: 
                              switch(config)# exit
switch#
                               

                              Exits configuration mode.

                               
                              Step 5 show role session status


                              Example: 
                              switch# show role session status
                                                              		(Optional)

                              Displays the user role CFS session status.

                               
                              Step 6 copy running-config startup-config


                              Example: 
                              switch# copy running-config startup-config
                                                              		(Optional)

                              Applies the running configuration to the startup configuration.

                               

                              Discarding the RADIUS Distribution Session

                              You can discard the temporary database of RADIUS changes and end the CFS distribution session.

                              SUMMARY STEPS

                                1.    configure terminal

                                2.    (Optional) show radius {pending | pending-diff}

                                3.    radius abort

                                4.    exit

                                5.    (Optional) show radius session status


                              DETAILED STEPS
                                 Command or ActionPurpose
                                Step 1 configure terminal


                                Example: 
                                switch# configure terminal
switch(config)#
                                 

                                Enters global configuration mode.

                                 
                                Step 2 show radius {pending | pending-diff}


                                Example: 
                                switch(config)# show radius pending
                                                                  		(Optional)

                                Displays the RADIUS configuration pending for distribution.

                                 
                                Step 3 radius abort


                                Example: 
                                switch(config)# radius abort
                                 

                                Discards the RADIUS configuration in the temporary storage and ends the session.

                                 
                                Step 4 exit


                                Example: 
                                switch(config)# exit
switch#
                                 

                                Exits configuration mode.

                                 
                                Step 5 show radius session status


                                Example: 
                                switch# show radius session status
                                                                  		(Optional)

                                Displays the RADIUS CFS session status.

                                 

                                Clearing the RADIUS Distribution Session

                                You can clear the ongoing Cisco Fabric Services distribution session (if any) and unlock the fabric for the RADIUS feature.

                                SUMMARY STEPS

                                  1.    clear radius session

                                  2.    (Optional) show radius session status


                                DETAILED STEPS
                                   Command or ActionPurpose
                                  Step 1 clear radius session


                                  Example: 
                                  switch# clear radius session
                                   

                                  Clears the session and unlocks the fabric.

                                   
                                  Step 2 show radius session status


                                  Example: 
                                  switch# show radius session status
                                                                      		(Optional)

                                  Displays the RADIUS CFS session status.

                                   

                                  Manually Monitoring RADIUS Servers or Groups

                                  You can manually issue a test message to a RADIUS server or to a server group.

                                  SUMMARY STEPS

                                    1.    test aaa server radius {ipv4-address | ipv6-address | host-name} [vrf vrf-name] username password

                                    2.    test aaa group group-name username password


                                  DETAILED STEPS
                                     Command or ActionPurpose
                                    Step 1 test aaa server radius {ipv4-address | ipv6-address | host-name} [vrf vrf-name] username password


                                    Example: 
                                    switch# test aaa server radius 10.10.1.1 user1 Ur2Gd2BH
                                     

                                    Sends a test message to a RADIUS server to confirm availability.

                                     
                                    Step 2 test aaa group group-name username password


                                    Example: 
                                    switch# test aaa group RadGroup user2 As3He3CI
                                     

                                    Sends a test message to a RADIUS server group to confirm availability.

                                     

                                    Verifying the RADIUS Configuration

                                    To display RADIUS configuration information, perform one of the following tasks:

                                    Command

                                    Purpose

                                    show radius {status | pending | pending-diff}

                                    Displays the RADIUS Cisco Fabric Services distribution status and other details.

                                    show running-config radius [all]

                                    Displays the RADIUS configuration in the running configuration.

                                    show startup-config radius

                                    Displays the RADIUS configuration in the startup configuration.

                                    show radius-server [host-name | ipv4-address | ipv6-address] [directed-request | groups | sorted | statistics]

                                    Displays all configured RADIUS server parameters.

                                    For detailed information about the fields in the output from this command, see the Cisco Nexus 7000 Series NX-OS Security Command Reference.

                                    Monitoring RADIUS Servers

                                    You can monitor the statistics that the Cisco NX-OS device maintains for RADIUS server activity.

                                    Before You Begin

                                    Configure one or more RADIUS server hosts.

                                    SUMMARY STEPS

                                      1.    show radius-server statistics {hostname | ipv4-address | ipv6-address}


                                    DETAILED STEPS
                                       Command or ActionPurpose
                                      Step 1 show radius-server statistics {hostname | ipv4-address | ipv6-address}


                                      Example: 
                                      switch# show radius-server statistics 10.10.1.1
                                       

                                      Displays the RADIUS statistics.

                                       

                                      Clearing RADIUS Server Statistics

                                      You can display the statistics that the Cisco NX-OS device maintains for RADIUS server activity.

                                      Before You Begin

                                      Configure RADIUS servers on the Cisco NX-OS device.

                                      SUMMARY STEPS

                                        1.    (Optional) show radius-server statistics {hostname | ipv4-address | ipv6-address}

                                        2.    clear radius-server statistics {hostname | ipv4-address | ipv6-address}


                                      DETAILED STEPS
                                         Command or ActionPurpose
                                        Step 1 show radius-server statistics {hostname | ipv4-address | ipv6-address}


                                        Example: 
                                        switch# show radius-server statistics 10.10.1.1
                                                                                  		(Optional)

                                        Displays the RADIUS server statistics on the Cisco NX-OS device.

                                         
                                        Step 2 clear radius-server statistics {hostname | ipv4-address | ipv6-address}


                                        Example: 
                                        switch# clear radius-server statistics 10.10.1.1
                                         

                                        Clears the RADIUS server statistics.

                                         

                                        Configuration Example for RADIUS

                                        The following example shows how to configure RADIUS:

                                        radius-server key 7 "ToIkLhPpG" 
radius-server host 10.10.1.1 key 7 "ShMoMhTl" authentication accounting 
aaa group server radius RadServer
    server 10.10.1.1

                                        Where to Go Next

                                        You can now configure AAA authentication methods to include the server groups.

                                        Additional References for RADIUS

                                        This section describes additional information related to implementing RADIUS.

                                        Related Documents

                                        Related Topic

                                        Document Title

                                        Cisco NX-OS Licensing

                                        		Cisco NX-OS Licensing Guide

                                        Command reference

                                        		Cisco Nexus 7000 Series NX-OS Security Command Reference

                                        VRF configuration

                                        		Cisco Nexus 7000 Series NX-OS Unicast Routing Configuration Guide

                                        Standards

                                        Standards

                                        Title

                                        No new or modified standards are supported by this feature, and support for existing standards has not been modified by this feature.

                                        —

                                        MIBs

                                        MIBs

                                        MIBs Link

                                        • CISCO-AAA-SERVER-MIB
                                        • CISCO-AAA-SERVER-EXT-MIB

                                        To locate and download MIBs, go to the following URL:

                                        http:/​/​www.cisco.com/​public/​sw-center/​netmgmt/​cmtk/​mibs.shtml

                                        Feature History for RADIUS

                                        This table lists the release history for this feature.

                                        Table 2 Feature History for RADIUS

                                        Feature Name

                                        Releases

                                        Feature Information

                                        RADIUS

                                        6.0(1)

                                        No change from Release 5.2.

                                        RADIUS

                                        5.2(1)

                                        Added type-6 encryption for RADIUS server keys.

                                        RADIUS

                                        5.1(1)

                                        No change from Release 5.0.

                                        Periodic server monitoring

                                        5.0(2)

                                        Added support for global periodic RADIUS server monitoring.

                                        OTP

                                        5.0(2)

                                        Added support for one-time passwords.