Chapter 56 AAA
GS1920v2 Series User’s Guide
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track when users log in, log out, execute commands and so on. Accounting can also record system 
related actions such as boot up and shut down times of the Switch.
Local User Accounts
By storing user profiles locally on the Switch, your Switch is able to authenticate and authorize users 
without interacting with a network AAA server. However, there is a limit on the number of users you may 
authenticate in this way.
RADIUS
RADIUS is a security protocol used to authenticate users by means of an external server instead of (or in 
addition to) an internal device user database that is limited to the memory capacity of the device. In 
essence, RADIUS authentication allows you to validate an unlimited number of users from a central 
location.
RADIUS and TACACS+
RADIUS and TACACS+ are security protocols used to authenticate users by means of an external server 
instead of (or in addition to) an internal device user database that is limited to the memory capacity of 
the device. In essence, RADIUS and TACACS+ authentication both allow you to validate an unlimited 
number of users from a central location.
The following table describes some key differences between RADIUS and TACACS+.
56.2  RADIUS Server Setup
Use this screen to configure your RADIUS server settings. Click SECURITY > AAA > RADIUS Server Setup to 
view the screen as shown.
Table 193   RADIUS vs. TACACS+
RADIUS TACACS+
Transport 
Protocol
UDP (User Datagram Protocol) TCP (Transmission Control Protocol)
Encryption Encrypts the password sent for 
authentication.
All communication between the client (the Switch) 
and the TACACS server is encrypted.