AAA with FreeRADIUS + Test Deployment

Context / Problem

During my internship at Blue Networks GmbH (October 2020 – March 2021), a robust solution for Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting (AAA) was needed. The goal was to centrally control and log network access.

Responsibilities

• Design of an AAA architecture based on the open-source server FreeRADIUS.
• Setup of a test environment to simulate realistic load scenarios.
• Configuration of RADIUS attributes and policies for different user groups.
• Documentation of configuration and test results.

Tech Stack

• Software: FreeRADIUS
• Protocols: RADIUS, EAP
• OS: Linux (Debian/Ubuntu)

Outcome

• Successful validation of the AAA concept in the test environment.
• Demonstration of the functionality and stability of the FreeRADIUS implementation.
• Provision of a solid foundation for the subsequent production rollout.

Lessons Learned / Next Steps

Correctly configuring RADIUS requires a deep understanding of network protocols and security requirements. The work highlighted the importance of standardized testing procedures before transitioning to live operation.