Configuring Port-Based and User-Based Access Control (802.1X)

General Setup Procedure for 802.1X Access Control

Overview: Configuring 802.1X Authentication on the Switch

This section outlines the steps for configuring 802.1X on the switch. For detailed information on each step, refer to the following:

“802.1X User-Based Access Control” on page 10-4

“802.1X Port-Based Access Control” on page 10-5

“Configuring Switch Ports To Operate As Supplicants for 802.1X Connec- tions to Other Switches” on page 10-47.

1.Enable 802.1X user-based or port-based authentication on the individual ports you want to serve as authenticators. On the ports you will use as authenticators, either accept the default 802.1X settings or change them, as necessary. Note that, by default, the port-control parameter is set to auto for all ports on the switch. This requires a client to support 802.1X authentication and to provide valid credentials to get network access. Refer to page 10-19.

2.If you want to provide a path for clients without 802.1X supplicant software to download the software so that they can initiate an authenti- cation session, enable the 802.1X Open VLAN mode on the ports you want to support this feature. Refer to page 10-29.

3.Configure the 802.1X authentication type. Options include:

Local Operator username and password (using the password port-accesscommand).

EAP RADIUS: This option requires your RADIUS server application to support EAP authentication for 802.1X.

CHAP (MD5) RADIUS: This option requires your RADIUS server application to support CHAP (MD5) authentication.

Refer to page 10-24.

4.If you select either eap-radiusor chap-radiusfor step 3, use the radius host command to configure up to three RADIUS server IP address(es) on the switch. See page 10-25.

5.Enable 802.1X authentication on the switch. Refer to “1. Enable 802.1X Authentication on Selected Ports” on page 10-19.

6.Test both the authorized and unauthorized access to your system to ensure that the 802.1X authentication works properly on the ports you have configured for port-access.

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