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User Guide for Cisco Secure ACS
for Windows
Version 4.0
November 2005
Customer Order Number: DOC-7816992=
Text Part Number: 78-16992-01

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User Guide for Cisco Secure ACS for Windows
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User Guide for Cisco Secure Access Control Server for Windows
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CONTENTS
Preface xxv
Audience xxv
Organization xxv
Conventions xxvi
Product Documentation xxvii
Related Documentation xxviii
Obtaining Documentation xxviii
Cisco.com xxviii
Product Documentation DVD xxix
Ordering Documentation xxix
Documentation Feedback xxix
Cisco Product Security Overview xxx
Reporting Security Problems in Cisco Products xxx
Obtaining Technical Assistance xxxi
Cisco Technical Support & Documentation Website xxxi
Submitting a Service Request xxxi
CHAPTER
1 Overview 1-1
Introduction to ACS 1-1
ACS Features, Functions and Concepts 1-2
ACS as the AAA Server 1-3
AAA Protocols—TACACS+ and RADIUS 1-3
TACACS+ 1-3
RADIUS 1-3
Additional Features in ACS Version 4.0 1-4
Authentication 1-6
Authentication Considerations 1-6
Authentication and User Databases 1-7
Authentication Protocol-Database Compatibility 1-7
Passwords 1-8
Other Authentication-Related Features 1-11
Authorization 1-12
Max Sessions 1-12
Dynamic Usage Quotas 1-13

Contents
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Shared Profile Components 1-13
Support for Cisco Device-Management Applications 1-13
Other Authorization-Related Features 1-14
Accounting 1-14
Other Accounting-Related Features 1-15
Managing and Administrating ACS 1-15
Web Interface Security 1-15
HTTP Port Allocation for Administrative Sessions 1-16
Web Interface Layout 1-16
Uniform Resource Locator for the Web Interface 1-18
Online Help and Online Documentation 1-18
Using Online Help 1-18
Using the Online User Guide 1-19
ACS Specifications 1-19
System Performance Specifications 1-19
ACS Windows Services 1-20
CHAPTER
2 Deployment Considerations 2-1
Basic Deployment Factors for ACS 2-1
Network Topology 2-2
Dial-Up Topology 2-2
Wireless Network 2-4
Remote Access using VPN 2-6
Remote Access Policy 2-7
Security Policy 2-8
Administrative Access Policy 2-8
Separation of Administrative and General Users 2-9
Database 2-10
Number of Users 2-10
Type of Database 2-10
Network Latency and Reliability 2-10
Suggested Deployment Sequence 2-11
CHAPTER
3 Using the Web Interface 3-1
Administrative Sessions 3-1
Administrative Sessions and HTTP Proxy 3-2
Administrative Sessions Through Firewalls 3-2
Administrative Sessions Through a NAT Gateway 3-2

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Accessing the Web Interface 3-3
Logging Off the Web Interface 3-3
Interface Design Concepts 3-4
Introduction of Network Access Profiles 3-4
User-to-Group Relationship 3-4
Per-User or Per-Group Features 3-4
User Data Configuration Options 3-4
Configuring New User Data Fields 3-5
Advanced Options 3-5
Setting Advanced Options for the ACS User Interface 3-7
Protocol Configuration Options for TACACS+ 3-7
Setting Options for TACACS+ 3-9
Protocol Configuration Options for RADIUS 3-9
Setting Protocol Configuration Options for IETF RADIUS Attributes 3-12
Setting Protocol Configuration Options for Non-IETF RADIUS Attributes 3-13
CHAPTER
4 Network Configuration 4-1
About Network Configuration 4-1
About Distributed Systems 4-2
AAA Servers in Distributed Systems 4-2
Default Distributed System Settings 4-3
Proxy in Distributed Systems 4-3
Fallback on Failed Connection 4-4
Character String 4-4
Stripping 4-4
Proxy in an Enterprise 4-5
Remote Use of Accounting Packets 4-5
Other Features Enabled by System Distribution 4-5
Network Device Searches 4-6
Network Device Search Criteria 4-6
Searching for Network Devices 4-6
AAA Client Configuration 4-7
AAA Client Configuration Options 4-8
Adding AAA Clients 4-10
Editing AAA Clients 4-12
Configuring a Default AAA Client 4-13
Deleting AAA Clients 4-14