RFC 3169 (rfc3169) - Page 1 of 17
Criteria for Evaluating Network Access Server Protocols
Alternative Format: Original Text Document
Network Working Group M. Beadles
Request for Comments: 3169 SmartPipes, Inc.
Category: Informational D. Mitton
Nortel Networks
September 2001
Criteria for Evaluating Network Access Server Protocols
Status of this Memo
This memo provides information for the Internet community. It does
not specify an Internet standard of any kind. Distribution of this
memo is unlimited.
Copyright Notice
Copyright (C) The Internet Society (2001). All Rights Reserved.
Abstract
This document defines requirements for protocols used by Network
Access Servers (NAS).
1. Requirements language
In this document, the key words "MAY", "MUST, "MUST NOT", "optional",
"recommended", "SHOULD", and "SHOULD NOT", are to be interpreted as
described in [KEYWORDS].
2. Introduction
This document defines requirements for protocols used by Network
Access Servers (NAS). Protocols used by NAS's may be divided into
four spaces: Access protocols, Network protocols, AAA protocols, and
Device Management protocols. The primary focus of this document is
on AAA protocols.
The reference model of a NAS used by this document, and the analysis
of the functions of a NAS which led to the development of these
requirements, may be found in [NAS-MODEL].
3. Access Protocol Requirements
There are three basic types of access protocols used by NAS's. First
are the traditional telephony-based access protocols, which interface
to the NAS via a modem or terminal adapter or similar device. These
protocols typically support asynchronous or synchronous PPP [PPP]
Beadles & Mitton Informational
