Internet Authentication Services provides the RADIUS-compliant server software to implement and administer Internet-based private networks for wholesale accounts. IAS provides the server software for the ISP who wants to offer this service and the authentication software for the corporate client who wants to engage this service.
IAS provides authentication, authorization, and accounting services for Internet service providers and their customers, whether individual or corporate.
Authentication. The process of guaranteeing that the person who is seeking Internet access has a valid account by comparing the user’s password to a known value in a central database.
Authorization. Enables the network operator to determine what network services end users are allowed to receive. For example, a corporation may allow its employees to use Internet dial-up facilities from their home computers, but only permit corporate-financed access to the company’s own network.
Accounting services. Enable the network operator to track network usage.The ISP’s RADIUS server can capture accounting data and forward it to the corporate IAS server for auditing purposes.
The integration of RADIUS with other protocols such as the Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP) can create a secure connection from a telecommuting or roaming employee, via the Internet, to the corporation’s private network services.