HP-UX AAA Server Architecture

The HP-UX AAA Server Architecture consists of three primary components:

Configuration files. Edit these flat text files to provide the information necessary for the server to perform authentication, authorization, and accounting requests for your system.
AATV plug-ins. Use the plug-ins to perform discrete actions; such as initiating an authentication request, replying to an authentication request, or logging an accounting record.
The software engine, which includes the Finite State Machine (FSM) and some associated routines. At server startup, the finite state machine reads instructions from a state table—by default the /etc/opt/aaa/radius.fsm text file. The state table outlines what AATV actions to call and what order to call them in.




	NOTE: An SDK is available for the HP-UX AAA Server. Contact your HP sales representative for more information, or send an email request to: aaainfo@cup.hp.com.

When the server is initialized, it performs a few distinct operations. It loads and initializes the AATV plug-ins, so that actions called by the FSM are executed. It also reads the configuration files to initialize the data required for the actions to execute according to the application’s requirements.

Figure 1-3 Authentication Process

Figure 1-3 “Authentication Process” illustrates the general process of server initialization and response to an authentication request.

Configuration Files

See Chapter 23 “Configuration Files ” for detailed information on these server configuration files.

AATV Plug-Ins

An AATV plug-in defines the actions that perform a variety of functions, including authenticating requests, authorization, and logging. Built-in actions support authentication of users from information by several different storage methods.

See “Actions ” for more information on these built-in actions.

The Software Engine: Finite State Machine

The FSM controls the step-by-step process that the server follows to process and respond to an authentication request. You can configure the FSM of the HP-UX AAA Server to customize your server configuration without programming software modules. See Chapter 22 “The Finite State Machine (FSM) ” for more information on the Finite State Machine.

HP-UX AAA Server Architecture

Technical documentation

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Configuration Files

AATV Plug-Ins

The Software Engine: Finite State Machine