What is the difference between RADIUS and TACACS+?
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RADIUS (Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service) and TACACS+ (Terminal Access Controller Access Control System Plus) are both protocols used for network access authentication and authorization. Although they serve a similar purpose, there are several differences between the two protocols.
RADIUS, on the other hand, merges authentication and authorization into a single process. While this approach is simpler and easier to manage, it can be less flexible and may not provide the same level of granularity as TACACS+.
Encryption: Both RADIUS and TACACS+ support encryption, but they differ in the level of encryption provided. TACACS+ encrypts the entire payload, including both the username and password. RADIUS, on the other hand, only encrypts the password information.
Command Logging: Another difference between RADIUS and TACACS+ is the type of command logging they provide. RADIUS logs all commands that are entered by the administrator, while TACACS+ only logs start, stop, and interim commands. This makes TACACS+ more suitable for environments where auditing is a top priority.
Applicability: RADIUS is most commonly used for dial-up authentication scenarios, while TACACS+ can be used for a variety of network access types, including dial-up, SSH, and VPN.
In summary, while both RADIUS and TACACS+ provide authentication and authorization services for network access control, they differ in several key areas. TACACS+ provides more granular control over access permissions, offers stronger encryption, and is better suited for auditing, while RADIUS is simpler to manage and is primarily used for dial-up authentication scenarios.