Avaya AP-5, AP-4, AP-6 manual Radius Authentication Illustrated

Security

Prior to successful authentication, an unauthenticated client PC cannot send any data traffic through the AP device to other systems on the LAN. The AP inhibits all data traffic from a particular client PC until the client PC is authenticated. Regardless of its authentication status, a client PC can always exchange 802.1x messages in the clear with the AP (the client begins encrypting data after it has been authenticated).

Figure 4-16. RADIUS Authentication Illustrated

The AP acts as a pass-through device to facilitate communications between the client PC and the RADIUS server. The AP (2) and the client

(1)exchange 802.1x messages using an EAPOL (EAP Over LAN) protocol (A). Messages sent from the client station are encapsulated by the AP and transmitted to the RADIUS (3) server using EAP extensions

(B).

Avaya Wireless AP-4/5/6 User’s Guide 4-123