authentication server

Authentication is the process of determining whether someone or something is actually who or what it declares itself to be. When a potential subscriber accesses an authentication server, a username and password may be the only identifying data required. In a more sophisticated system called Kerberos, the subscriber must request and receive an encrypted security token that can be used to access a particular service. RADIUS (Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service) is a commonly used authentication method. TACACS+ (Terminal Access Controller Access Control System Plus) is similar to RADIUS but is used with Unix networks. RADIUS employs UDP (User Datagram Protocol) and TACACS+ employs TCP (Transmission Control Protocol.

Some specialized authentication servers employ smart cards or biometric verification in addition to one or more of the above mentioned technologies.

Read more about authentication server: - Wave Systems describes their authentication server. - The Information Technology Services (ITS) Department at Yale University describes the operation of its central authentication server

Do you have something to add to this definition? Let us know. Send your comments to techterms@whatis.com

BROWSE BY TAG Security Token and Smart Card Technology,   Enterprise Identity and Access Management,   User Authentication Services,   PKI and Digital Certificates,   VIEW ALL TAGS

Digg This!     StumbleUpon     Del.icio.us

RELATED CONTENT Risk management must include physical-logical security convergence If your organization is serious about managing risk and total asset protection, then physical-logical convergence is a necessary step. RSA researcher Ari Juels: RFID tags may be easily hacked SearchSecurity.com caught up with Dr. Ari Juels and asked the well-known cryptographer about RFID security, cloud storage innovations and his new... Portable security storage device could replace OTP devices A new USB-like device, hardened with security features, could overtake one-time password devices and give end users flash memory to carry around...

RELATED GLOSSARY TERMS Terms from Whatis.com − the technology online dictionary Chameleon Card  (SearchSecurity.com) key chain  (SearchSecurity.com) A key chain is a series of keys that can be created to help ensure secure communication between routers in a network. Authentication occurs whenever...