User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ Wireless PCI Adapter WPN311
B-12 Wireless Networking Basics
WPA Authentication: Enterprise-level User
Authentication via 802.1x/EAP and RADIUS
Figure B-1: WPA Overview
IEEE 802.1x offers an effective framework for authenticating and controlling user traffic to a
protected network, as well as providing a vehicle for dynamically varying data encryption keys via
EAP from a RADIUS server, for example. This framework enables using a central authentication
server, which employs mutual authentication so that a rogue wireless user does not join the
network.
It is important to note that 802.1x does not provide the actual authentication mechanisms. When
using 802.1x, the EAP type, such as Transport Layer Security (EAP-TLS), or EAP Tunneled
Transport Layer Security (EAP-TTLS), defines how the authentication takes place.
Note: For environments with a Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service (RADIUS)
infrastructure, WPA supports Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP). For environments
without a RADIUS infrastructure, WPA supports the use of a pre-shared key.
Together, these technologies provide a framework for strong user authentication.
Windows XP implements 802.1x natively, and several NETGEAR switch and wireless access
point products support 802.1x.
Certificate
Authority
(for
example
Win Serve r,
VeriSign)
WPA
enabled
wireless
client with
“supplicant”
TCP/IP
Ports Closed
Until RADIUS Server
Wired Network with Optional 802.1x Port Based Network Access Control
WPA enabled
Access P oint
using
pre-shared key
or
802.1x TCP /IP
Ports Opened
After
A u th e n tic a te d
Wireless LAN
Login
Authentication