How to Configure a RADIUS Server for Wireless Authentication?

Configuring a RADIUS server for wireless authentication involves setting up the server and then configuring your wireless access points to use it. Here's a step-by-step guide:

1. Install and Configure the RADIUS Server

• Choose a RADIUS Server: Popular options include FreeRADIUS, Microsoft IAS, and Cisco ISE.
• Install and Configure: Follow the specific installation and configuration instructions for your chosen RADIUS server. This typically involves setting up user accounts, defining authentication policies, and configuring network settings.

2. Configure the Wireless Access Point

• Enable RADIUS Authentication: On your wireless access point, enable RADIUS authentication.
• Configure RADIUS Server Settings: Enter the IP address of your RADIUS server, the shared secret (a password used for communication), and other necessary settings.
• Set Authentication Parameters: Specify the authentication method (e.g., PAP, CHAP, EAP) and other relevant parameters.

3. Test the Configuration

• Test Connectivity: After configuring the RADIUS server and access point, try connecting to the wireless network.
• Verify Authentication: Ensure that the RADIUS server successfully authenticates users and grants access to the network.

Example: Configuring FreeRADIUS

1. Install FreeRADIUS:

• Download and install FreeRADIUS on your server.

2. Configure FreeRADIUS:

• Create a User:

    # radclient add user <username> <password>

• Create a Client:

    # radclient add client <client_name> <client_ip> <shared_secret>

• Configure Authentication Policies:

    # nano /etc/freeradius/mods-enabled/sql.conf

  Add the following lines to the file:

    # Authentication Policy
    auth_type = SQL
    sql_type = mysql
    sql_server = <database_server>
    sql_database = <database_name>
    sql_username = <database_username>
    sql_password = <database_password>
    sql_auth_query = "SELECT password FROM users WHERE username='%{%{User-Name}%}' AND password='%{%{User-Password}%}'"

  Note: Replace <database_server>, <database_name>, <database_username>, <database_password> with your database credentials.

3. Configure the Wireless Access Point:

• Enable RADIUS Authentication: Enable RADIUS authentication on your access point.
• Configure RADIUS Server Settings: Enter the IP address of your FreeRADIUS server, the shared secret, and other necessary settings.

4. Test the Configuration:

• Try connecting to the wireless network using a user account configured in FreeRADIUS.

Note: The specific commands and configurations may vary depending on your RADIUS server and wireless access point model.

By following these steps, you can successfully configure a RADIUS server for wireless authentication and secure your wireless network.