TACACS+ (Terminal Access Controller Access-Control System Plus) 🔐
Overview 🌐
TACACS+ is an AAA (Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting) protocol developed by Cisco and released as an open standard in 1993. It replaced the older TACACS protocol from 1984 and its extended version, XTACACS.
Original TACACS: Developed for MILNET (the unclassified network for DARPA), which later evolved into NIPRNet.
XTACACS: A proprietary Cisco extension of TACACS.
TACACS+: Designed to address device administration, providing a comprehensive AAA solution primarily for network infrastructure devices.
Key Features ✨
Authentication: Validates the identity of users attempting to access network devices.
Authorization: Determines the level of access or permissions granted to authenticated users.
Accounting: Tracks and logs user activities for auditing and reporting purposes.
Differences from RADIUS 🆚
Focus: TACACS+ is geared towards device administration, whereas RADIUS is mainly used for network access.
Authorization and Accounting: TACACS+ offers more granular control and detailed accounting features compared to RADIUS.
Applications 💻
Network Infrastructure: TACACS+ is predominantly used for managing authentication, authorization, and accounting for network devices.
Security: Given that network infrastructure devices are high-value targets, TACACS+ provides a robust solution for securing these critical components.
Key Takeaways 📌
Purpose: TACACS+ is a Cisco-developed protocol for managing AAA services specifically for network devices.
Differences: It differs from RADIUS mainly in its focus on device management and detailed authorization/accounting.
Implementation: While it might not be encountered frequently in support roles, understanding TACACS+ is valuable for securing network infrastructure as organizations grow.
TACACS+ is essential for IT professionals working with network infrastructure, ensuring comprehensive control and security over network device management.
Last updated