Cisco Systems ME3400G2CSA Configuring IEEE 802.1x Port-Based Authentication

CHAPTER

8-1

Cisco ME 3400 EthernetAccess Switch SoftwareConfiguration Guide

78-17058-01

Configuring IEEE 802.1x Port-Based Authentication

This chapter describes how to configure IEEE 802.1x port-based authenticat ion on th e Cisco M E 3 400

Ethernet Access switch. As LANs extend to hotels, airports, and corporate lobbies and create i nsecure

environments, 802.1x prevents unauthorized devices (clients) from gaining ac cess to the n etwork.

Note For complete syntax and usage information for the commands used in this chapter, see the command

reference for this release.

This chapter consists of these sections:

•Understanding IEEE 802.1x Port-Based Authentication, page 8-1

•Configuring IEEE 802.1x Authentication, page 8-9

•Displaying IEEE 802.1x Statistics and Status, page 8-19

The IEEE 802.1x standard defines a client-server-based access control and authentication protocol that

prevents unauthorized clients from connecting to a LAN through publicly accessible ports unless they

are properly authenticated. The authentication server authenticates each client co nnected to a switch port

before making available any services offered by the switch or the LAN.

Until the client is authenticated, IEEE 802.1x access control allows only Extensible Authentication

Protocol over LAN (EAPOL), Cisco Discovery Protocol (CDP), and Spanning Tree Protocol (STP)

traffic through the port to which the client is connected. After authentication is successful, normal traf fic

can pass through the port.

Note CDP and STP are only supported on network node interfaces (NNIs). Use r network nodes (UNIs) do not

support CDP or STP.