Authentication method, transfer apparatus, and authentication server

A transfer apparatus for providing a network authentication function, comprising:

• a communication interface coupled to a network;
• a data transfer control part coupled to the communication interface;
• and
• a processor coupled to the data transfer control part,
• the transfer apparatus mediating an authentication sequence between a terminal used by a user and an authentication server for authenticating the terminal via the network,
• the processor being configured to:
• provide identification information for identifying the transfer apparatus to which the terminal is coupled to the authentication server via the communication interface in the authentication sequence;
• receive an authentication result of authenticating the terminal, which is transmitted by the authentication server based on the provided identification information on the transfer apparatus, via the communication interface;
• and
• authenticate access from the terminal based on the authentication result received from the authentication server via the communication interface.

An authentication server for authenticating a terminal used by a user, comprising:

• a processor for executing a program;
• a memory for storing the program;
• and
• an interface coupled to a network,
• the authentication server being coupled to a switch for mediating an authentication sequence between the terminal and the authentication server,
• the authentication server being configured to:
• receive identification information for identifying the switch in the authentication sequence;
• authenticate an authentication request transmitted from the terminal;
• and
• transmit an authentication result of the authentication to the switch based on the received identification information on the switch, and
• the authentication result transmitted to the switch being used by the switch to authenticate access from the terminal.