network access server
A device that functions as an access control point for users in remote locations connecting to a company's internal network or to an ISP. Also called a "media gateway" or a "remote access server" (RAS), a network access server (NAS) may include its own authentication services or rely on a separate authentication server. A NAS may be a dedicated server or a software service within a regular server. See access control, authentication and remote access concentrator.
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| NAS Access Control |
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| A network access server (NAS) often relies on a separate authentication server such as RADIUS for obtaining authorization to allow or deny access to the network. |
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| Roll Your Own NAS |
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| Comtrol developed the first multiport serial card for the PC. Such cards turn a PC into a network access server for modem and ISDN communications or a collector of signals from sensors for data acquisition. The middle card uses RJ-45 jacks to connect to serial lines. The others provide DB-25 ports for modems. (Image courtesy of Comtrol Corporation.) |