True or false: Clients authenticate directly against the RADIUS server.FalseTrue

Answer

False.

Explanation

In a RADIUS (Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service) architecture, clients do not authenticate directly against the RADIUS server. Instead, the authentication process typically involves an intermediary, often referred to as a Network Access Server (NAS). The NAS acts as a client to the RADIUS server. Here’s how it works:

1. User Request: When a user attempts to log in to a network, they input their credentials (username and password) at the client device (NAS).

2. Forwarding Credentials: The NAS forwards these credentials to the RADIUS server in a standardized format.

3. RADIUS Processing: The RADIUS server then checks these credentials against its database or an external authentication source.

4. Response: Based on the validation result, the RADIUS server sends a response back to the NAS, indicating whether authentication was successful or not.

Thus, the authentication involves a relay system where the RADIUS server communicates with the NAS, and the client does not connect directly to the RADIUS server.