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Cisco Small Business 200, 300 and 500 Series Managed Switch Administration Guide (Internal Version) 381
Security: 802.1X Authentication
This section describes 802.1X authentication.
It covers the following topics:
Overview of 802.1X
Authenticator Overview
Common Tasks
802.1X Configuration Through the GUI
Defining Time Ranges
Authentication Method and Port Mode Support

Overview of 802.1X

802.1x authentication restricts unauthorized clients from connecting to a LAN
through publicity-accessible ports. 802.1x authentication is a client-server model.
In this model, network devices have the following specific roles.
Client or supplicant
Authenticator
Authentication server