General Authentication Setup Procedure - HP procurve switch 2650 Access Security Manual

TACACS+ Authentication

General Authentication Setup Procedure

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The effectiveness of TACACS+ security depends on correctly using your
TACACS+ server application. For this reason, HP recommends that you
thoroughly test all TACACS+ configurations used in your network.
TACACS-aware HP switches include the capability of configuring multiple
backup TACACS+ servers. HP recommends that you use a TACACS+ server
application that supports a redundant backup installation. This allows you to
configure the switch to use a backup TACACS+ server if it loses access to the
first-choice TACACS+ server.
In release H.07.xx, TACACS+ does not affect web browser interface access.
Refer to "Controlling Web Browser Interface Access When Using TACACS+
Authentication" on page 2-24.

General Authentication Setup Procedure

It is important to test the TACACS+ service before fully implementing it.
Depending on the process and parameter settings you use to set up and test
TACACS+ authentication in your network, you could accidentally lock all
users, including yourself, out of access to a switch. While recovery is simple,
it may pose an inconvenience that can be avoided.To prevent an unintentional
lockout on a Switch 2650 or 6108 , use a procedure that configures and tests
TACACS+ protection for one access type (for example, Telnet access), while
keeping the other access type (console, in this case) open in case the Telnet
access fails due to a configuration problem. The following procedure outlines
a general setup procedure.
If a complete access lockout occurs on the switch as a result of a TACACS+
configuration, see "TACACS Related Problems" in the Troubleshooting
chapter of the Management and Configuration Guide for your switch.
1. Familiarize yourself with the requirements for configuring your
TACACS+ server application to respond to requests from a Switch 2650
and 6108. (Refer to the documentation provided with the TACACS+
server software.) This includes knowing whether you need to configure
an encryption key. (See "Using the Encryption Key" on page 2-23.)