What protocol is commonly employed for authentication in wireless networks, modems, and network devices?

The commonly employed protocol for authentication in wireless networks, modems, and network devices is RADIUS (Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service). RADIUS plays a crucial role in managing user authentication and access rights across these types of environments, where secure access is a priority.

RADIUS operates as a client-server protocol, allowing users to connect remotely and authenticate against a central database of user credentials. This is particularly important in wireless networks where devices must verify the identity of users trying to access resources. RADIUS not only provides authentication but also can handle authorization and accounting, offering a comprehensive solution for managing user sessions.

In the context of network devices and modems, RADIUS is essential for maintaining security. It facilitates centralized management of user accounts, making it easier to update access policies and controls. The protocol uses a shared secret for encryption during the transmission of authentication requests and responses, adding an additional layer of security.

Some of the other options typically serve different purposes. For instance, Kerberos is primarily used for authentication in a network environment but is not specifically tailored for the needs of wireless networks and modems. OAuth is an open standard for access delegation focused on web applications and does not provide authentication directly like RADIUS does. TACACS+ is another authentication protocol