Radius (Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service) is a protocol that allows you to log in, authenticate, and collect data about the resources involved for each user.
Radius has been created for data exchange between the devices used and the central platform. It is used for the billing system of the resources involved by a certain subscriber/user.
SORM solutions
The Diameter protocol originates from Radius, greatly improving its various aspects. This next-generation protocol is used for authorization, authentication and accounting of AAA (Authentication, Authorization, Accounting).
Diameter is widely used in the IMS architecture, and is used to transfer AAA data between various IMS structures. Diameter is used in mobile operator networks.
Radius Features
Radius is an element of a large billing system, Radius server is a special interface that provides work with a telecommunications server and switches, routers and is able to implement various auxiliary services for this system, which can be divided into: general, authorization, authentication and accounting.
Among the common ones:
- managing a subscriber’s account from a personal account (for example, through an online interface);
- defining access rules (PIN and login) for the provision of limited services (for example, Internet access);
- blocking a subscriber’s account after reaching the specified limit or a specified parameter manually or automatically;
- collection, systematization and storage of information about user sessions;
- generating reports based on certain criteria;
- creating and sending invoices for payment of services;
- authentication of server requests from the service system.
Among the authentication:
- login and authentication of the subscriber connecting to the Radius server;
- analysis of data from the subscriber’s account on request.
Among the authorization:
- sending data about blocking the account of a certain subscriber;
- allocation of permissions to access any services;
- the distribution of information based on the statistics of the user’s use of services.
Among the accounts:
- online accounting using the Radius server;
- real-time accounting of subscriber funds;
- notifications about the duration of the session;
- forced termination of a specific session;
- sending a BOOT message package (when the system is rebooted to end sessions).
Radius is most often used to connect to wireless and private (Wi-Fi, VPN) networks, DSL and other types of network access. Radius is characterized by openness, ease of implementation and today is literally considered the standard for providing remote authentication.