Configuring 802.1X

802.1X overview

802.1X is a port-based network access control protocol initially proposed by the IEEE 802 LAN/WAN committee for the security of WLANs. It has been widely used on Ethernet for access control.

802.1X controls network access by authenticating the devices connected to 802.1X-enabled LAN ports.

This chapter describes how to configure 802.1X on an HP device. You can also configure the port security feature to perform 802.1X. Port security combines and extends 802.1X and MAC authentication. It applies to a network (for example, a WLAN) that requires different authentication methods for different users on a port. For more information, see "Configuring port security."

802.1X architecture

802.1X operates in the client/server model. It comprises three entities: the client (the supplicant), the network access device (the authenticator), and the authentication server.

Figure 298 802.1X architecture

•Client—A user terminal seeking access to the LAN. It must have 802.1X software to authenticate to the network access device.

•Network access device—Authenticates the client to control access to the LAN. In a typical 802.1X environment, the network access device uses an authentication server to perform authentication.

•Authentication server—Provides authentication services for the network access device. The authentication server authenticates 802.1X clients by using the data sent from the network access device, and returns the authentication results to the network access device to make access decisions. The authentication server is typically a RADIUS server. In a small LAN, you can also use the network access device as the authentication server.

Access control methods

HP implements port-based access control as defined in the 802.1X protocol, and extends the protocol to support MAC-based access control.

•Port-based access control—Once an 802.1X user passes authentication on a port, any subsequent user can access the network through the port without authentication. When the authenticated user logs off, all other users are logged off.

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