How to Create a Cloud-Based RADIUS Server

What Is a Cloud RADIUS Server?

A cloud RADIUS server is a fully managed RADIUS-as-a-Service that handles 802.1X authentication, authorization, and accounting without requiring on-premise server infrastructure. Rather than installing and maintaining physical hardware, organizations connect their access points and firewalls to a cloud-hosted RADIUS endpoint that handles all authentication traffic.

The cloud RADIUS server validates credentials or certificates against a connected identity provider and returns an Access-Accept or Access-Reject to the network device — all without a single rack-mounted appliance.

However, many network security professionals aren’t sure what options they have in moving their legacy on-premise RADIUS servers to the cloud. This article covers how cloud-based RADIUS differs from on-premise RADIUS servers, options available for moving to the cloud, and how to choose the right cloud RADIUS solution for your organization.

Cloud RADIUS Server vs. On-Premise RADIUS: Key Differences

Both cloud-based and on-site RADIUS ostensibly serve the same purpose, however the differences can be meaningful. For example, setting up an on-site RADIUS is demanding, as it must be physically installed, configured, and maintained for as long as it is used. This represents an enormous cost in materials, facilities, and training, not to mention continued labor over time.

In regards to functionality, the most apparent benefit of a cloud-based RADIUS are the general advantages of cloud technology. It is always readily available from anywhere and requires no physical installation or maintenance.

Setting up a cloud RADIUS server is a simple process:

1. You first configure the secure SSID on a WPA2-Enterprise network
2. Then,set up the cloud RADIUS in the controller or AP by sharing the RADIUS IP and the shared secret. You’re all done.

How Does a Cloud RADIUS Server Work?

Understanding the authentication flow helps network administrators configure a cloud RADIUS server correctly and troubleshoot access issues when they arise. The process follows a defined sequence:

1. The client device (supplicant) sends an Access-Request packet to the network access device (switch or wireless AP).
2. The network access device forwards the request to the cloud RADIUS server, authenticated via a shared secret.
3. The cloud RADIUS server receives the request and queries the connected identity provider — such as Azure AD, Okta, or Google Workspace — in real time to verify user and device status.
4. Based on the identity provider response and any configured group or device policies, the cloud RADIUS server returns an Access-Accept or Access-Reject to the network access device.
5. The network access device grants or denies the client access to the network segment.

Because the identity provider lookup happens in real time, a cloud RADIUS server can enforce dynamic policies, such as blocking a terminated employee instantly, without waiting for a local cache to expire.

Benefits of Switching to a Cloud RADIUS Server

Moving from on-premise RADIUS to a cloud-hosted solution comes with several important advantages:

• No hardware to provision or maintain: A cloud RADIUS server runs on managed infrastructure — no physical servers, no rack space, no firmware updates.
• Native identity provider integration: Cloud-based RADIUS servers connect directly to Azure AD, Okta, and Google Workspace, eliminating the need for proxy configurations or on-premise AD connectors.
• Certificate-based authentication: RADIUS supports EAP-TLS and other certificate-based methods, removing password-based vulnerabilities from network access.
• Automatic failover and availability: Managed cloud infrastructure includes redundancy by default, unlike a single on-premise NPS server that becomes a point of failure.
• Faster deployment: A cloud RADIUS server can be operational in minutes, saving weeks of hardware procurement, racking, and configuration versus an on-premise alternative.

FreeRADIUS vs. SecureW2 Cloud RADIUS

While there are a handful of cloud RADIUS server options to choose from, FreeRADIUS and Cloud Radius from SecureW2 are both commonly used, and each come with distinct advantages.

FreeRADIUS for Cloud-Based RADIUS

FreeRADIUS is a common cloud RADIUS option that, as the name suggests, is free. FreeRADIUS is often chosen because:

1. It’s widely used across the world.
2. It is a no-cost solution.
3. It’s multithreaded, so it can process more than one transaction at a time.
4. There are no license expenses, meaning that it costs the same to authenticate one device as it does hundreds.

But FreeRADIUS comes with downside as well, chiefly a lack of support which can mean it’s not an ideal solution for organizations with lean IT teams. Additionally, it can be difficult for admins with little RADIUS experience to set up FreeRADIUS. Organizations with unique use cases may also find it difficult to configure and customize FreeRADIUS, meaning it may not meet their needs.

Cloud RADIUS From SecureW2

For organizations wishing to eliminate password-based network authentication, but who don’t want to manage a RADIUS server, SecureW2 JoinNow Cloud RADIUS is an ideal solution.

Cloud RADIUS is set up automatically for organizations, and requires sharing only a few IPs with Access Points and Firewalls. It also comes with the SecureW2 Dynamic PKI solution and JoinNow onboarding software, which allow users to self-service their devices for network-authentication certificates without the risk of misconfiguration. The process involves only a few clicks, and once completed, the user is equipped with a certificate and can be immediately authenticated.

JoinNow Cloud RADIUS from SecureW2 also integrates seamlessly with any identity provider (IdP). While you can easily host Microsoft NPS in the cloud, for example, it will only work with on-premise Active Directory. By contrast, Cloud RADIUS natively communicates with directories such as Azure, Okta, and Google Identify Platform to look up user status in real time and enforce user, group, and device policies.

Organizations evaluating a cloud-based RADIUS server should weigh FreeRADIUS for its flexibility and zero licensing cost against SecureW2 Cloud RADIUS for its fully managed infrastructure, built-in PKI, and native identity provider integrations.

Interested in seeing if solutions from SecureW2 are right for your organization? Schedule a demo to see how Cloud RADIUS replaces on-premise infrastructure with a cloud-native RADIUS server in minutes.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a cloud RADIUS server?

A cloud RADIUS server is a fully managed RADIUS-as-a-Service that authenticates, authorizes, and accounts for network access requests without requiring on-premise hardware. It connects to your identity provider in real time and enforces access policies for every device attempting to join the network.

How is a cloud RADIUS server different from on-premise RADIUS?

An on-premise RADIUS server requires physical hardware, local installation, and ongoing maintenance by IT staff. A cloud RADIUS server is hosted and maintained by the provider, eliminating hardware costs and the need for dedicated server infrastructure. Cloud RADIUS also integrates directly with cloud identity providers, while on-premise solutions like NPS depend on local Active Directory.

Does a cloud RADIUS server work with Azure AD and Okta?

Yes. A cloud RADIUS server can query Azure AD, Okta, and Google Workspace in real time to verify user and device status before granting network access. This native integration removes the need for on-premise AD connectors or LDAP proxies.

What is the difference between FreeRADIUS and a managed cloud RADIUS server?

FreeRADIUS is open-source software that must be self-hosted and configured by your team, whether on-premise or in a cloud VM. A managed cloud RADIUS server like SecureW2 Cloud RADIUS is provisioned, maintained, and updated by the provider. The tradeoff is flexibility versus operational overhead: FreeRADIUS offers more customization, while a managed service eliminates the engineering burden.

How does a cloud RADIUS server support certificate-based authentication?

A cloud RADIUS server supports EAP-TLS and other certificate-based authentication methods, allowing devices to authenticate using a digital certificate rather than a username and password. When paired with a built-in PKI, such as the SecureW2 Dynamic PKI, the cloud RADIUS server can validate certificates and enforce device-level policies without any password exposure.