PowerConnect B-Series FCX Configuration Guide 1173
53-1002266-01
Configuring TACACS/TACACS+ security
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Setting the retransmission limit
The retransmit parameter specifies how many times the Dell PowerConnect device will resend an 
authentication request when the TACACS/TACACS+ server does not respond. The retransmit limit 
can be from 1 – 5 times. The default is 3 times.
To set the TACACS/TACACS+ retransmit limit, enter a command such as the following.
PowerConnect(config)#tacacs-server retransmit 5
Syntax: tacacs-server retransmit <number>
Setting the timeout parameter
The timeout parameter specifies how many seconds the Dell PowerConnect device waits for a 
response from the TACACS/TACACS+ server before either retrying the authentication request, or 
determining that the TACACS/TACACS+ server is unavailable and moving on to the next 
authentication method in the authentication-method list. The timeout can be from 1 – 15 seconds. 
The default is 3 seconds.
PowerConnect(config)#tacacs-server timeout 5
Syntax: tacacs-server timeout <number>
Configuring authentication-method lists for
TACACS/TACACS+
You can use TACACS/TACACS+ to authenticate Telnet/SSH access and access to Privileged EXEC 
level and CONFIG levels of the CLI. When configuring TACACS/TACACS+ authentication, you create 
authentication-method lists specifically for these access methods, specifying TACACS/TACACS+ as 
the primary authentication method.
Within the authentication-method list, TACACS/TACACS+ is specified as the primary authentication 
method and up to six backup authentication methods are specified as alternates. If 
TACACS/TACACS+ authentication fails due to an error, the device tries the backup authentication 
methods in the order they appear in the list.
When you configure authentication-method lists for TACACS/TACACS+ authentication, you must 
create a separate authentication-method list for Telnet/SSH CLI access, and for access to the 
Privileged EXEC level and CONFIG levels of the CLI.
To create an authentication method list that specifies TACACS/TACACS+ as the primary 
authentication method for securing Telnet/SSH access to the CLI.
PowerConnect(config)#enable telnet authentication
PowerConnect(config)#aaa authentication login default tacacs local
The commands above cause TACACS/TACACS+ to be the primary authentication method for 
securing Telnet/SSH access to the CLI. If TACACS/TACACS+ authentication fails due to an error with 
the server, authentication is performed using local user accounts instead.
To create an authentication-method list that specifies TACACS/TACACS+ as the primary 
authentication method for securing access to Privileged EXEC level and CONFIG levels of the CLI.
PowerConnect(config)#aaa authentication enable default tacacs local none