To interact with Avaya Aura® Communication Manager, AAA services use the Authentication Module (PAM and Linux) and Name Service Switch (NSS) within Linux. These mechanisms are supported on Linux-based Communication Manager servers.

External AAA support is a Linux feature that is separate from Communication Manager, is not controlled by a license file, and is freely available to the customer. Customers can use the same authentication for Communication Manager as is used by other servers on their network.

PAM is an application programming interface that provides great flexibility to process administrator's account.

Name Service Switch (NSS) is a Linux facility that provides the source of authorization information. The source can be local files on the Communication Manager server.