GE 82-POE, GE-DS-82 802.1X Configuration, Understanding Ieee 802.1X Port-Based Authentication

Chapter 4: Web-Based Management

802.1X Configuration

802.1x is an IEEE authentication specification which prevents the client from accessing a wireless access point or wired switch until it provides authority, like the user name and password that are verified by an authentication server (such as RADIUS server).

Understanding IEEE 802.1X Port-Based Authentication

The IEEE 802.1X standard defines a client-server-based access control and authentication protocol that restricts unauthorized clients from connecting to a LAN through publicly accessible ports. The authentication server authenticates each client connected to a switch port before making available any services offered by the switch or the LAN.

Until the client is authenticated, 802.1X access control allows only Extensible Authentication Protocol over LAN (EAPOL) traffic through the port to which the client is connected. After authentication is successful, normal traffic can pass through the port.

This section includes this conceptual information:

•Device Roles

•Authentication Initiation and Message Exchange

•Ports in Authorized and Unauthorized States

•Device Roles

With 802.1X port-based authentication, the devices in the network have specific roles as shown below.

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