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Catalyst 3550 Multilayer Switch Software Configuration Guide
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Chapter7 Configuring 802.1X Port-B as ed Authentication Configuring 802.1X Authentication
Setting the Switch-to-Client Frame-Retransmission Number
In addition to changing the switch-to-client retransmiss io n ti m e, y ou ca n chan ge the n umb er o f tim es
that the switch sends an EAP-request/identity frame (assuming no response is received) to the client
before restarting the authentication process.
Note You should change the default value of this command only to adjust for unusual circ umstances such
as unreliable links or specific behavioral problems with certai n clie nts a nd aut hent icat ion serve rs.
Beginning in privileged EXEC mode, follow these steps to set the switch-to-client frame-retransmission
number:
To return to the default retransmission number, use the no dot1x max-req global configuration
command.
This example shows how to set 5 as the number of times that the switch sends an EAP-request/identity
request before restarting the authentica tio n p r oce ss :
Switch(config)# dot1x max-req 5
Enabling Multiple Hosts
You can attach multiple hosts to a single 802.1X-enabled port as shown in Figure 7-3 on pa ge 7 -5. In
this mode, only one of the attached hosts must be successfully authorized for all hosts to be granted
network access. If the port becomes unauthorized (re-authentication fails or an EAPOL-log off message
is received), all attached clients are denied access to the network.
Beginning in privileged EXEC mode, follow these steps to allow multiple hosts (clients) on an
802.1X-authorized port that has the dot1x port-control interface configuration command set to auto.
Command Purpose
Step1 configure terminal Enter global configuration mode.
Step2 dot1x max-req count Set the number of times that the switch sends an EAP-request/identity
frame to the client before restarting the authentication process. The range
is 1 to 10; the default is 2.
Step3 end Return to privileged EXEC mode.
Step4 show dot1x Verify your entries.
Step5 copy running-config startup-config (Optional) Save your entries in the configuration file.
Command Purpose
Step1 configure terminal Enter global configuration mode.
Step2 interface interface-id Enter interface configuration mode, and specify the interface to which
multiple hosts are indirectly attached.
Step3 dot1x multiple-hosts Allow multiple hosts (clients) on an 802.1X-autho riz ed po rt.
Make sure that the dot1x port-control interface configuration command
set is set to auto for the specified interface.