Network Authentication
Network Authentication is what happens when you have a computer connected in a network, but, to actually make use of its resources you must perform authentication against a server machine which is running a network authentication service. The windows network authentication happens when you have a server running the Active Directory service so that the users who seek wired network authentication will have to present a user-name and a password to the server.
This network authentication system prevents any sort of physical or wireless intrusion since all users must be previously registered into the Active Directory. Without a valid login any attempt to join the Domain will be bounced off and thus disallowing use of the network resources without any additional network authentication protocols. If the network authentication failed several times in a row, the user attempting the login will also have its system blocked for a few minutes, preventing a breach attempt by brute force.
In addition to the wired network authentication, there's also the Wi-Fi network authentication, which allows users to join the Local Area Network through wireless devices, but in addition to the windows XP network authentication, you'll have to do an authentication check against the router. It will be running one of several possible protocols: Network authentication WEP, WPA, WPA2 or BBRAS based.
When it comes to wireless network authentication methods, WEP is probably the worst there is these days since it can literally be cracked in minutes. WPA and WPA2 come second, but they are already very strong encryption systems that so far haven't been broken and the only way to pierce it is through picking up certain packets, the so called handshake packets, and try to brute force crack them. Ultimately you have the BBRAS system, where the router is linked to a server machine with a series of user-names and passwords much like if it was the Windows Active Directory records and use those network authentication settings to welcome the users to the local network.
Other network authentication software that can be used to login into a network is VPN software. You can be outside of a LAN, but as long as this network has a Internet connection you can connect into a machine on the inside through a Virtual Private Network system, which means that you'll connect to a computer that is within the LAN and use it just like if you were there. You will of course still have to perform authentication against the Active Directory settings as well.
These are the only real network authentication methods that matter the most when trying to construct a network that is actually safe but very functional still. It will allow everyone who uses the local computers to be protected and your servers won't be accessed by anyone else other than specified by you, provided there is no security breach from part of the persons who use the computers. In case a user-name and password set is provided to a stranger, that's all that's needed to try and break in into the network system.
Network Authentication is essnetial to keep the intruders away, intruders who wait for a slip here or there to have an access to vital information stored in the server's directory with which they have a hay day. Despite all the precautions these hackers find a way into getting personal data of users. Enough is not enough to think of ways to keep these intruders at bay.
There is a server machine that runs an authentication service. When the need arises to have a computer connected to a net work with the intention of making use of its resources there is a need to perform an authentication. The users who seek wired network authentication need to present a user name and password to the server. For this purpose the server has an active directory where the user name is registered. This prevents intrusion by 'non-members'.
With recognized login information which is stored in the Active Directory of the Server a user will have access to the network when the user logs in with the information already provided to the server. It often happens because of some carelessness wrong information gets fed in the login area resulting in the server bouncing back and forth and if this happens several times the user is totally blocked unless he starts the process fresh by closing and coming again.
The Windows XP also have a code for authentication. When the software is installed from the CD for the first time hidden therein is the code for the user. It can be used only once. This takes care of the possibility of others using the same CD to install in their computers. A smart move to safe guard their sale of software, avoiding pirating totally.
There are different ideas for wireless network authentication there is a Wi –Fi network authenticaton which connects users to the LAN using wireless devices. Over and above Windows XP authentication one needs have an authentication done against a router using several protocols. Routers may provide connectivity between one computer and another, between a computer and the Inernet and even inside ISPs
Of the wireless networking authentication methods WEP seems to be the worst as it can be easily cracked but several encryption systems being in place this problems seems to have been taken care of. The other systems are WPA and WPA2. The router also has access to the BBRAS system
Which connects the router to the server's directory with all user names and passwords stored.
Large organisations have different formats that if the user needs to get into, a different login is called for. The benfit of integrated authentication when an organization has several formats for the user to provide data before accessing information is that the user need not have to sign in every time a different type of information is searched for. The user should have just one login and get all the information that this enterprise has to offer. This system reduces the hassles for both user and the provider.
There is yet another network authentication method which allows the user to get in to LAN despite being outside of LAN provided there is an internet connection with which one can connect using a Virtual Private Network System performing ofcourse the usual authentication.
With these methods one is quite safe provided ofcourse the user does not give out the user name and password and when that happens all security gates would be wide open and it would be a cake walk for anyone who wishes to get in.
Some intelligent hackers find it interesting to work on these Network Authentification Systems most of them though encrypted their intention being not to use the information that they would get but the joy of having cracked it and this in turn gives an opportunity for the Servers and others to work harder and this cycle goes on. Most concerned for example are the banks.