Configuring Port-Based Access Control (802.1x)

802.1x Open VLAN Mode

1st Priority: The port joins a VLAN to which it has been assigned by a RADIUS server during authentication.

2nd Priority: If RADIUS authentication does not include assigning a VLAN to the port, then the switch assigns the port to the VLAN entered in the port’s 802.1x configuration as an Authorized-ClientVLAN, if configured.

3rd Priority: If the port does not have an Authorized-Client VLAN configured, but does have a static, untagged VLAN membership in its configuration, then the switch assigns the port to this VLAN.

If the port is not configured for any of the above, then it must be a tagged member of at least one VLAN. In this case, if the client is capable of operating in a tagged VLAN, then it can access that VLAN. Otherwise, the connection will fail.

Caution

If a port is a tagged member of a statically configured VLAN, 802.1x Open

 

VLAN mode does not prevent unauthenticated client access to such VLANs if

 

the client is capable of operating in a tagged VLAN environment. To avoid

 

possible security breaches, HP recommends that you not allow a tagged VLAN

 

membership on a port configured for 802.1x Open VLAN mode unless you use

 

the tagged VLAN as the Unauthorized-Client VLAN.

 

 

Use Models for 802.1x Open VLAN Modes

You can apply the 802.1x Open VLAN mode in more than one way. Depending on your use, you will need to create one or two static VLANs on the switch for exclusive use by per-port 802.1x Open VLAN mode authentication:

Unauthorized-Client VLAN: Configure this VLAN when unauthen- ticated, friendly clients will need access to some services before being authenticated.

Authorized-Client VLAN: Configure this VLAN for authenticated clients when the port is not statically configured as an untagged member of a VLAN you want clients to use, or when the port is statically configured as an untagged member of a VLAN you do not want clients to use. (A port can be configured as untagged on only one VLAN. When an Authorized-Client VLAN is configured, it will always be untagged and will block the port from using a statically configured, untagged membership in another VLAN.)

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