Administering CiscoSecure ACS

E X E R C I S E 3 . 1 ( c o n t i n u e d )

It can’t get much easier than that! Did you notice that the Setup Complete screen tells you how to get into the ACS admin screen through a browser, http://127.0.0.1:2002? The 127.0.0.1 address is considered the loopback or diagnostic IP address of the local machine. You use this to verify that IP is running properly on a host. In this case, the IP address 127.0.0.1 also tells the browser that you mean “this host.”

In a minute, I’ll go through the configuration of the NAS, but first let’s take a look at the ACS configuration. (If you want, this is a great time to take a short break and digest what you’ve just done before moving on.)

Administering CiscoSecure ACS

The CS ACS web browser interface makes the administration of AAA features pretty easy. The installation places an ACS Admin icon on the desktop of the server, and when you double-click it, you end up on the ACS Administration page, as illustrated in Figure 3.2.

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F I G U R E 3 . 2 ACS administration session

Each button on the navigation bar represents a particular area or function that you can configure. You typically don’t need to configure all of the areas; nevertheless, you’ll go through them all in Exercise 3.2.

If you’re studying for the exam, you don’t have to memorize the fields in this area. Just use this information for documentation purposes.

In this exercise, you’ll go through the ACS administration process step by step in the Windows environment. Then, I’ll explain what the Unix administration is like.

E X E R C I S E 3 . 2

CiscoSecure ACS for Windows Administration

This exercise will provide you with step-by-step instructions on how to use the CiscoSecure Administration tool.

E X E R C I S E 3 . 2 ( c o n t i n u e d )

1.Select the User Setup button to begin configuring the CiscoSecure software. This is where you add, edit, or delete user accounts and list users in databases.

2.When you’re done setting up individual users, click the Group Setup button in the left-hand margin. The Group Setup screen allows you to create, edit, and rename groups and list all users in a group.

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E X E R C I S E 3 . 2 ( c o n t i n u e d )

3.Next, the Shared Profile Components screen allows you to configure command authorization sets, which are configurable sets of authorization rules for device commands.

4.The Network Configuration button takes you to a screen where you configure and edit network access server parameters, add and delete network access servers, and configure AAA server distribution parameters.

E X E R C I S E 3 . 2 ( c o n t i n u e d )

5.In the System Configuration screen, you can start and stop CS ACS services, configure logging, control database replication, and control RDBMS synchronization.

6.The Interface Configuration button takes you to a screen where you can configure userdefined fields that will be recorded in accounting logs, configure TACACS+ and RADIUS options, and control the display of options in the user interface.

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E X E R C I S E 3 . 2 ( c o n t i n u e d )

7.The Administration Control screen allows you to control the administration of CS ACS from any workstation on the network so you don’t have to run all over the building. If you think you need the exercise, don’t configure it!

8.The External User Databases button gives you access to two screens where you configure the unknown user policy, configure authorization privileges for unknown users, and configure external database types.

E X E R C I S E 3 . 2 ( c o n t i n u e d )

9.Clicking the Reports and Activity button displays the following screen:

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E X E R C I S E 3 . 2 ( c o n t i n u e d )

On the Reports and Activity screen, you can view the following information:

TACACS+ Accounting Reports: These reports record when sessions stop and start, record network access server messages with usernames, provide caller line identification information, and record the duration of each session.

RADIUS Accounting Reports: These reports record when sessions stop and start, record network access server messages with usernames, provide caller line identification information, and record the duration of each session.

Failed Attempts Report: This report lists authentication and authorization failures with an indication of the cause.

List Logged-in Users: This report lists all users currently receiving services for a single network access server or all network access servers with access to CS ACS.

List Disabled Accounts: This report lists all user accounts that are currently disabled.

Admin Accounting Reports: These reports list the configuration commands entered on a TACACS+ (Cisco) network access server.

You can import these files into most database and spreadsheet applications. This information is invaluable in helping you profile potentially problematic users by monitoring unusual activity. After you see these reports often enough, you’ll spot potential bad guys in a snap. Of course, for that to happen, you or someone on your security team actually needs to review these reports on a regular basis.

I’m going to say this again: You can have top-of-the-line products and great people on your team, but if your security policies aren’t tight, your security won’t be either. If you’ve got the goods, make sure that policies are in place that guarantee the best use of the technology and personnel that you’ve invested in.

10.Lastly, the Online Documentation button provides more detailed information about the configuration, operation, and concepts of CS ACS.

Maybe you’re not using Windows. Maybe you’ve got a Unix server set up. CiscoSecure ACS 2.3 for Unix (CSU) offers the same basic functions as CiscoSecure ACS for Windows discussed previously in Exercise 3.2:

CSU accepts user access requests from an NAS using TACACS+ or RADIUS.

CSU can be used as a centralized database for AAA, working with NASs from a variety of vendors.

CSU has a web-based administration tool.

CSU offers relational database support for three databases: Sybase, Oracle, and SQL Anywhere (included).