Home > Articles > Cisco > CCNP Security

This chapter is from the book

This chapter is from the book

CCSP Self-Study: Securing Cisco IOS Networks (SECUR)CCSP Self-Study: Securing Cisco IOS Networks (SECUR)

Learn More Buy

This chapter is from the book

This chapter is from the book

CCSP Self-Study: Securing Cisco IOS Networks (SECUR)CCSP Self-Study: Securing Cisco IOS Networks (SECUR)

Learn More Buy

Administering and Troubleshooting Cisco Secure ACS for Windows

The Cisco Secure ACS for Windows web browser interface makes administration of AAA features easy. Each of the buttons on the navigational bar (listed next in top-to-bottom order as shown in Figure 3-9) represents a particular area or function that you can configure. Depending on your configuration, you may not need to configure all the areas.

  • User Setup—Add, edit, and delete user accounts, and list users in databases

  • Group Setup—Create, edit, and rename groups, and list all users in a group

Figure 9Figure 3-9 Main Window

  • Shared Profile Components—Develop and name reusable, shared sets of authorization components that may be applied to one or more users or groups of users and referenced by name within individual profiles. Components include network access restrictions (NARs), command authorization sets, and downloadable PIX ACLs.

  • Network Configuration—Configure and edit network access server parameters, add and delete network access servers, and configure AAA server distribution parameters

  • System Configuration—Start and stop Cisco Secure ACS for Windows services, configure logging, control Database Replication, and control RDBMS Synchronization

  • Interface Configuration—Configure user-defined fields that will be recorded in accounting logs, configure TACACS+ and RADIUS options, and control display of options in the user interface

  • Administration Control—Control administration of Cisco Secure ACS for Windows from any workstation on the network

  • External User Databases—Configure the unknown user policy, configure authorization privileges for unknown users, and configure external database types

  • Reports and Activity—View the following information, which is a partial list of the types of reports available to you when you select this button. You can import these files into most database and spreadsheet applications.

    • —TACACS+ Accounting Report—Lists when sessions stop and start, records network access server messages with username, provides CLID information, and records the duration of each session

    • —RADIUS Accounting Report—Lists when sessions stop and start, records network access server messages with username, provides CLID information, and records the duration of each session

    • —Failed Attempts Report—Lists authentication and authorization failures with an indication of the cause

    • —Logged in Users—Lists all users who are currently receiving services for a single network access server or all network access servers with access to Cisco Secure ACS for Windows

    • —Disabled Accounts—Lists all user accounts that are currently disabled

    • —Admin Accounting Report—Lists configuration commands entered on a TACACS+ (Cisco) network access server

  • Online Documentation—Provides more detailed information about the configuration, operation, and concepts of Cisco Secure ACS for Windows

As previously stated, the preceding list represents the order in which the buttons appear on the navigational bar, not the order that you want to follow for configuration. The order to follow for configuration depends on your preferences and needs. One typical order of configuration is as follows:

Step 1

 

Administration Control—Configure access for remote administrators.

Step 2

 

Network Configuration—Configure and verify connectivity to a network access server.

Step 3

 

Group Setup—Configure available options and parameters for specific groups. All users must belong to a group.

Step 4

 

User Setup—Add users to a group that is configured.

Step 5

 

Additional configuration—Verify or configure settings in all other necessary areas.

Start troubleshooting Cisco Secure ACS for Windows–related AAA problems by examining the Failed Attempts Report under Reports and Activity, as shown in Figure 3-10. The report shows several types of failures.

Figure 10Figure 3-10 Troubleshooting Grid

Cisco Secure ACS for Windows has debug capabilities that uses a combination of logging files to record debug information. You can view these logging files as reports in order to check for system problems. You can also run CSTacacs, CSRadius, and CSAuth from a DOS command line to see debug information for those services. See the Cisco Tech Notes article at http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/sw/secursw/ps2086 /products_tech_note09186a00800afec1.shtml for more information on setting debug log levels and using the debug command-line capabilities of the Cisco Secure ACS for Windows service modules.

Authentication Failure

Assuming that Cisco Secure ACS for Windows and the router are communicating and that you are authenticating against the Windows NT or Windows 2000 user database, check the following items if you encounter an authentication failure:

  • Are the username and password being entered correctly? (The password is case sensitive.)

  • Do the username and password exist in the Windows NT or Windows 2000 user database? (Use the Windows 2000 User Manager administration tool to verify the user entry and to reset passwords, if necessary.)

  • Is the dial-in interface on the network access server configured with ppp authentication pap?

  • Is the User Must Change Password at Next Login check box checked in Windows NT or Windows 2000? (Uncheck the check box it if it is checked.)

  • Does the username have the rights to log on locally in the Windows NT or Windows 2000 Server window (Trust Relationship/Domain)?

  • Is Cisco Secure ACS for Windows configured to authenticate against the Windows NT or Windows 2000 user database?

  • Is Cisco Secure ACS for Windows configured to grant dial-in permission to the user?

  • If the username was able to authenticate before and is unable to now, is the account disabled on Windows NT or Windows 2000 or Cisco Secure ACS for Windows?

  • Has the password expired on Windows NT or Windows 2000?

  • Does the username contain an illegal character?

Windows NT or Windows 2000 will send the domain name and username for authentication when a user attempts to access the network through Dial-Up Networking (DUN).

Authorization Failure

If the dial-in user is authenticating, but authorization is failing, check the following:

  • Are the proper network services checked in the Group Settings?

  • If IP is checked, how is the dial-in user obtaining an IP address?

  • Is there an IP pool configured on the network access server?

  • Is the name of the IP pool entered in the Group Settings? (Leave this blank if a default IP pool has been configured.)

  • If authorizing commands, has the aaa authorization commands 1 tacacs+ command been entered into the Cisco IOS configuration? (You can substitute any privilege level from 0 to 15 for the 1 in this command.)

  • Has the radio button for the command been selected?

  • Has the radio button for the argument been selected?

Accounting Failure

If AAA is not working, yet there is no entry in the report, there is an invalid setup between Cisco Secure ACS for Windows and the router. Check the following items to troubleshoot this problem:

  • Can the router ping the Windows NT or Windows 2000 server?

  • Can the Windows NT or Windows 2000 server ping the router?

  • Is the TACACS+ host IP address correctly configured in the router?

  • Is the identical TACACS+ host key entered on both the router and Cisco Secure ACS for Windows?

  • Is TACACS+ accounting configured on the router?

Troubleshooting Dial-In Client PC Problems

If the dial-in user is a Windows 95 or Windows 98 PC using DUN, here are some things to check:

  • Is the proper version of DUN installed? It should be DUN version 1.3.

  • Are connection properties configured to use Require Encrypted Password under Server Type?

  • Is the connection configured to use the correct protocol?

  • Is the selected Dial-Up Server type PPP: Windows 95/98, Windows NT 3.5, Internet?

  • Is the user authorized to use a specific command?

Other problems may be encountered with remote administration. Check the following:

  • Ensure that the web browser is correctly configured—enough cache is allocated and Java is enabled.

  • Ensure that Remote Administration is configured to allow remote web browser access (IP address and username/password).

Troubleshooting Using Cisco IOS Commands

The following Cisco IOS debug commands are useful for troubleshooting:

debug aaa authentication
debug aaa authorization
debug tacacs
debug radius

Pearson IT Certification Promotional Mailings & Special Offers

I would like to receive exclusive offers and hear about products from Pearson IT Certification and its family of brands. I can unsubscribe at any time.

Overview


Pearson Education, Inc., 221 River Street, Hoboken, New Jersey 07030, (Pearson) presents this site to provide information about Pearson IT Certification products and services that can be purchased through this site.

This privacy notice provides an overview of our commitment to privacy and describes how we collect, protect, use and share personal information collected through this site. Please note that other Pearson websites and online products and services have their own separate privacy policies.

Collection and Use of Information


To conduct business and deliver products and services, Pearson collects and uses personal information in several ways in connection with this site, including:

Questions and Inquiries

For inquiries and questions, we collect the inquiry or question, together with name, contact details (email address, phone number and mailing address) and any other additional information voluntarily submitted to us through a Contact Us form or an email. We use this information to address the inquiry and respond to the question.

Online Store

For orders and purchases placed through our online store on this site, we collect order details, name, institution name and address (if applicable), email address, phone number, shipping and billing addresses, credit/debit card information, shipping options and any instructions. We use this information to complete transactions, fulfill orders, communicate with individuals placing orders or visiting the online store, and for related purposes.

Surveys

Pearson may offer opportunities to provide feedback or participate in surveys, including surveys evaluating Pearson products, services or sites. Participation is voluntary. Pearson collects information requested in the survey questions and uses the information to evaluate, support, maintain and improve products, services or sites; develop new products and services; conduct educational research; and for other purposes specified in the survey.

Contests and Drawings

Occasionally, we may sponsor a contest or drawing. Participation is optional. Pearson collects name, contact information and other information specified on the entry form for the contest or drawing to conduct the contest or drawing. Pearson may collect additional personal information from the winners of a contest or drawing in order to award the prize and for tax reporting purposes, as required by law.

Newsletters

If you have elected to receive email newsletters or promotional mailings and special offers but want to unsubscribe, simply email information@informit.com.

Service Announcements

On rare occasions it is necessary to send out a strictly service related announcement. For instance, if our service is temporarily suspended for maintenance we might send users an email. Generally, users may not opt-out of these communications, though they can deactivate their account information. However, these communications are not promotional in nature.

Customer Service

We communicate with users on a regular basis to provide requested services and in regard to issues relating to their account we reply via email or phone in accordance with the users' wishes when a user submits their information through our Contact Us form.

Other Collection and Use of Information


Application and System Logs

Pearson automatically collects log data to help ensure the delivery, availability and security of this site. Log data may include technical information about how a user or visitor connected to this site, such as browser type, type of computer/device, operating system, internet service provider and IP address. We use this information for support purposes and to monitor the health of the site, identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents and appropriately scale computing resources.

Web Analytics

Pearson may use third party web trend analytical services, including Google Analytics, to collect visitor information, such as IP addresses, browser types, referring pages, pages visited and time spent on a particular site. While these analytical services collect and report information on an anonymous basis, they may use cookies to gather web trend information. The information gathered may enable Pearson (but not the third party web trend services) to link information with application and system log data. Pearson uses this information for system administration and to identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents, appropriately scale computing resources and otherwise support and deliver this site and its services.

Cookies and Related Technologies

This site uses cookies and similar technologies to personalize content, measure traffic patterns, control security, track use and access of information on this site, and provide interest-based messages and advertising. Users can manage and block the use of cookies through their browser. Disabling or blocking certain cookies may limit the functionality of this site.

Do Not Track

This site currently does not respond to Do Not Track signals.

Security


Pearson uses appropriate physical, administrative and technical security measures to protect personal information from unauthorized access, use and disclosure.

Children


This site is not directed to children under the age of 13.

Marketing


Pearson may send or direct marketing communications to users, provided that

  • Pearson will not use personal information collected or processed as a K-12 school service provider for the purpose of directed or targeted advertising.
  • Such marketing is consistent with applicable law and Pearson's legal obligations.
  • Pearson will not knowingly direct or send marketing communications to an individual who has expressed a preference not to receive marketing.
  • Where required by applicable law, express or implied consent to marketing exists and has not been withdrawn.

Pearson may provide personal information to a third party service provider on a restricted basis to provide marketing solely on behalf of Pearson or an affiliate or customer for whom Pearson is a service provider. Marketing preferences may be changed at any time.

Correcting/Updating Personal Information


If a user's personally identifiable information changes (such as your postal address or email address), we provide a way to correct or update that user's personal data provided to us. This can be done on the Account page. If a user no longer desires our service and desires to delete his or her account, please contact us at customer-service@informit.com and we will process the deletion of a user's account.

Choice/Opt-out


Users can always make an informed choice as to whether they should proceed with certain services offered by Adobe Press. If you choose to remove yourself from our mailing list(s) simply visit the following page and uncheck any communication you no longer want to receive: www.pearsonitcertification.com/u.aspx.

Sale of Personal Information


Pearson does not rent or sell personal information in exchange for any payment of money.

While Pearson does not sell personal information, as defined in Nevada law, Nevada residents may email a request for no sale of their personal information to NevadaDesignatedRequest@pearson.com.

Supplemental Privacy Statement for California Residents


California residents should read our Supplemental privacy statement for California residents in conjunction with this Privacy Notice. The Supplemental privacy statement for California residents explains Pearson's commitment to comply with California law and applies to personal information of California residents collected in connection with this site and the Services.

Sharing and Disclosure


Pearson may disclose personal information, as follows:

  • As required by law.
  • With the consent of the individual (or their parent, if the individual is a minor)
  • In response to a subpoena, court order or legal process, to the extent permitted or required by law
  • To protect the security and safety of individuals, data, assets and systems, consistent with applicable law
  • In connection the sale, joint venture or other transfer of some or all of its company or assets, subject to the provisions of this Privacy Notice
  • To investigate or address actual or suspected fraud or other illegal activities
  • To exercise its legal rights, including enforcement of the Terms of Use for this site or another contract
  • To affiliated Pearson companies and other companies and organizations who perform work for Pearson and are obligated to protect the privacy of personal information consistent with this Privacy Notice
  • To a school, organization, company or government agency, where Pearson collects or processes the personal information in a school setting or on behalf of such organization, company or government agency.

Links


This web site contains links to other sites. Please be aware that we are not responsible for the privacy practices of such other sites. We encourage our users to be aware when they leave our site and to read the privacy statements of each and every web site that collects Personal Information. This privacy statement applies solely to information collected by this web site.

Requests and Contact


Please contact us about this Privacy Notice or if you have any requests or questions relating to the privacy of your personal information.

Changes to this Privacy Notice


We may revise this Privacy Notice through an updated posting. We will identify the effective date of the revision in the posting. Often, updates are made to provide greater clarity or to comply with changes in regulatory requirements. If the updates involve material changes to the collection, protection, use or disclosure of Personal Information, Pearson will provide notice of the change through a conspicuous notice on this site or other appropriate way. Continued use of the site after the effective date of a posted revision evidences acceptance. Please contact us if you have questions or concerns about the Privacy Notice or any objection to any revisions.

Last Update: November 17, 2020