RFC 3169 (rfc3169) - Page 1 of 17

Criteria for Evaluating Network Access Server Protocols

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