A device used in network access control. An authentication server stores the usernames and passwords that identify the clients logging in, or it may hold the algorithms for token access (see
authentication token). For access to specific network resources, the server may itself store user permissions and company policies or provide access to directories that contain the information.
RADIUS and Diameter are common protocols for authentication servers. TACACS+ is a Cisco-developed product that has also been popular. The authentication server may be a stand-alone system or software that resides in an Ethernet switch, wireless access point (AP) or network access server (NAS). See
challenge-response,
network access server,
RADIUS,
Diameter and
802.1x.