ZyXEL Communications 320W manual Authenticator, Supplicant, Authentication Server

P320W Support Notes

IEEE 802.1x authentication is a client-server architecture delivered with EAPOL (Extensible Authentication Protocol over LAN). The authentication server authenticates each client connected to a Access Point (For Wireless LAN) or switch port (for Ethernet) before accessing any services offered by the Wireless AP. 802.1x contains tree major components:

1. Authenticator:

The device (i.e. Wireless AP) facilitates authentication for the supplicant (Wireless client) attached on the Wireless network. Authenticator controls the physical access to the network based on the authentication status of the client. The authenticator acts as an intermediary (proxy) between the client and the authentication server (i.e. RADIUS server), requesting identity information from the client, verifying that information with the authentication server, and relaying a response to the client.

2. Supplicant:

The station (i.e. Wireless client) is being authenticated by an authenticator attached on the Wireless network. The supplicant requests access to the LAN services and responds to the requests from the authenticator. The station must be running 802.1x-compliant client software such as that offered in the Microsoft Windows XP operating system, Meeting House AEGIS 802.1x client and Odyssey 802.1x client.

3. Authentication Server:

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