Briefly describe the functions of a RADIUS client and a RADIUS server.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

A RADIUS client is not the wireless device requesting authentication, such as a notebook computer or PDA. Instead, a RADIUS client is typically a device such as a dial-up server or wireless access point that is responsible for sending user credentials and connection parameters in the form of a RADIUS message to a RADIUS server. The RADIUS server authenticates and authorizes the RADIUS client request, and sends back a RADIUS message response. RADIUS clients also send RADIUS accounting messages to RADIUS servers. The key with RADIUS is that messages are never directly sent between the wireless device and the RADIUS server. This prevents an attacker from penetrating the RADIUS server and compromising security.