# AAA 802.1x Protocols(Radius & TACACS+)

[AAA Server ](https://app.gitbook.com/@mudassirs46/s/network-fundamentals/~/drafts/-MRZ8l67L5MHnaQIEh9W/aaa-authentication-authorization-and-accounting-server)like Cisco ACS (Access Control Server) Servers uses 802.1x Protocols like RADIUS (Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service) / TACACS+ (Terminal Access Controller Access-Control System Plus) for authentication. 

* |                  Radius                 |                                  TACACS+                                  |
  | :-------------------------------------: | :-----------------------------------------------------------------------: |
  |          Open Standard Protocol         |                         Cisco Proprietary Protocol                        |
  | Combines Authentication + Authorization |            Separates Accounting, Authentication & Authorization           |
  |        uses UDP ports 1645 & 1812       |                              uses TCP port 49                             |
  |        Only password is encrypted       |                         entire packet is encrypted                        |
  |              used for Users             |                        used for Networking devices                        |
  |        Encrypts the password only       |             Encrypts the entire packet including the password             |
  |                                         | Centralize which users can issue commands on your devices in your Network |
  |                                         |                                                                           |

## Reference:

* <https://courses.davidbombal.com/courses/267624/lectures/4159176>