Integrating LDAP with RADIUS for Centralized Authentication
The server logs were growing fast, and authentication failures were stacking like bricks in a wall. You knew it was time to bring order. Ldap and Radius can work together to make that happen.
LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol) is a standard for querying and managing user identity data. It stores usernames, passwords, groups, and permissions in a structured directory. RADIUS (Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service) is a protocol for centralized authentication, authorization, and accounting over a network. While LDAP provides the user data, RADIUS controls access to network resources using that data.
Integrating LDAP with RADIUS lets you centralize user management while keeping secure, standards-based network authentication. In this setup, RADIUS queries LDAP for credentials and group information whenever a user tries to log in. If LDAP confirms, RADIUS grants access and can log the session details. This avoids duplicate user databases, reduces admin overhead, and keeps authentication logic clean.
Common deployments include VPN access, Wi-Fi networks with enterprise authentication (EAP), and wired 802.1X environments. By linking LDAP and RADIUS, you get fast validation, defined role policies, and consistent identity enforcement across all network entry points.
To implement LDAP with RADIUS, start with a RADIUS server like FreeRADIUS. Configure it to connect to your LDAP directory, ensuring proper bind credentials and secure transport (LDAPS). Map LDAP attributes to RADIUS reply items, such as VLAN assignment or session limits. Test with a user whose account is in LDAP, monitor RADIUS logs for successful binds, and adjust attribute mapping until it fits your access control plan.
Security demands encrypted connections for both LDAP and RADIUS traffic. Use TLS for LDAP queries and secure shared secrets for RADIUS clients. Monitor logs for rejection spikes, as they may signal brute-force attempts or sync issues with the directory. Keep schema changes controlled, since altering LDAP object classes can break RADIUS searches.
A well-tuned LDAP-RADIUS integration builds a reliable identity backbone. Authentication stays consistent across multiple services, with all credentials living in one controlled source. It’s scalable, auditable, and easier to maintain than scattered local accounts.
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