Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service (RADIUS) is a
standard protocol for the authentication and accounting of remote access users.
Many remote access vendors use RADIUS as the authentication method of choice
for their dial-up, VPN, and other remote access equipment.

Included in Windows 2000 Server, Internet Authentication
Service (IAS) is the Microsoft implementation of a RADIUS server, and it enables
the Windows 2000 Server to function as a RADIUS server. IAS’ RADIUS capability
offers several benefits. Let’s look at a few of these advantages:

  • IAS centralizes and consolidates
    authentication:     You can maintain a single set of user accounts in
    Active Directory and use those accounts to authenticate remote users that
    access the network through dial-up equipment or VPN connections to remote
    access servers.
  • It allows you to outsource remote
    access:     You can outsource remote access to your ISP and use IAS to
    authenticate and log access. Outsourcing relieves your organization of the
    cost of the remote access hardware and maintenance associated with
    managing the remote access equipment.
  • It centralizes authentication
    management:     A single IAS server (or a small group of servers) can
    handle remote access authentication and accounting for multiple remote
    access points, simplifying remote access administration in the process.

Installing IAS on your Windows 2000 Server is an easy
process. Follow these steps:

    1. Go
      to Start | Settings | Control Panel.
    2. Double-click
      the Add/Remove Programs applet.
    3. Select
      Add/Remove Windows Components.
    4. In
      the Components list, select Networking Services, and click Details.
    5. Select
      the Internet Authentication Service check box, click OK, and click Next
      to start the installation.

After you’ve installed IAS, go to Start | Programs |
Administrative Tools | Internet Authentication Service to open the IAS console.
From here, you can configure authentication and accounting ports, monitor
users, and perform other RADIUS administration tasks.

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