Controlling Switch Access With Kerberos; Understanding Kerberos - Cisco WS-C3750-48PS-S Software Configuration Manual

Controlling Switch Access with Kerberos

Controlling Switch Access with Kerberos

This section describes how to enable and configure the Kerberos security system, which authenticates
requests for network resources by using a trusted third party. To use this feature, the cryptographic (that
is, supports encryption) versions of the switch software must be installed on your switch. You must
obtain authorization to use this feature and to download the cryptographic software files from
Cisco.com. For more information, refer to the release notes for this release.
This section consists of these topics:
•
•
•
For Kerberos configuration examples, refer to the "Kerberos Configuration Examples" section in the
"Security Server Protocols" chapter of the Cisco IOS Security Configuration Guide, Release 12.2, at this
URL:
http://www.cisco.com/univercd/cc/td/doc/product/software/ios122/122cgcr/fsecur_c/fsecsp/
For complete syntax and usage information for the commands used in this section, refer to the "Kerberos
Note
Commands" section in the "Security Server Protocols" chapter of the Cisco IOS Security Command
Reference, Release 12.2, at this URL:
http://www.cisco.com/univercd/cc/td/doc/product/software/ios122/122cgcr/fsecur_c/fsecsp/index.htm.
In the Kerberos configuration examples and in the Cisco IOS Security Command Reference,
Note
Release 12.2, the trusted third party can be a Catalyst 3750 switch that supports Kerberos, that is
configured as a network security server, and that can authenticate users by using the Kerberos protocol.

Understanding Kerberos

Kerberos is a secret-key network authentication protocol, which was developed at the Massachusetts
Institute of Technology (MIT). It uses the Data Encryption Standard (DES) cryptographic algorithm for
encryption and authentication and authenticates requests for network resources. Kerberos uses the
concept of a trusted third party to perform secure verification of users and services. This trusted third
party is called the key distribution center (KDC).
Kerberos verifies that users are who they claim to be and the network services that they use are what the
services claim to be. To do this, a KDC or trusted Kerberos server issues tickets to users. These tickets,
which have a limited lifespan, are stored in user credential caches. The Kerberos server uses the tickets
instead of usernames and passwords to authenticate users and network services.
A Kerberos server can be a Catalyst 3750 switch that is configured as a network security server and that
Note
can authenticate users by using the Kerberos protocol.
The Kerberos credential scheme uses a process called single logon. This process authenticates a user
once and then allows secure authentication (without encrypting another password) wherever that user
credential is accepted.
Catalyst 3750 Switch Software Configuration Guide
9-32
Understanding Kerberos, page 9-32
Kerberos Operation, page 9-34
Configuring Kerberos, page 9-36
Chapter 9 Configuring Switch-Based Authentication
78-16180-02