What does AAA stand for in network management contexts?

In network management contexts, AAA stands for Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting. This framework is crucial for managing user access and ensuring security within a network.

Authentication is the process of verifying the identity of a user, device, or entity attempting to access the network. This ensures that only authorized users can gain access to resources.

Authorization follows authentication and is the step where the system determines what an authenticated user is allowed to do. This could involve permissions for accessing certain files, services, or applications within the network.

Accounting refers to the tracking of user activities after they’ve been authenticated and authorized. This includes logging user actions and resource consumption, which can help in monitoring usage patterns and ensuring compliance with policies.

The other options present variations of the terms but do not accurately capture the correct order or meaning of each component involved in the AAA framework. Understanding this foundational concept is essential for effective network management and security protocols.