Virtual Profiles
Virtual profiles and virtual templates provide ways to apply centralized, user-specific
parameters to multiple access servers and their physical interfaces. This can greatly reduce
the impact of changes to widely distributed access points.
As suggested by the name, there is a difference between a virtual profile and the element it
replaces—the dialer profile. Dialer profiles maintain information on a single access server for
specific users. The virtual profile adds the following:
User-specific configurations served from the AAA server
An open methodology for defining both standards-based and vendor-specific parameters
After the user authenticates the system, a virtual template is applied to the virtual access
interface. User parameters are then obtained from the AAA server (security server) and applied
to the virtual access interface. This solution allows for better scalability and easier administration
than would be allowed with standard dialer profiles. As a result, the virtual profile is actually
a combination of the physical interface, generic information stored in a virtual template on
the access server, and user-specific parameters stored on the security server.
If you want to expand your understanding of virtual profiles and their usage,
refer to the Cisco website (www.cisco.com). 1024