SMC Networks SMC6724L3 manual User Authentication

RADIUS server

802.1x client

1. Client attempts to access a switch port.

2. Switch sends client an identity request.

3. Client sends back identity information.

4. Switch forwards this to authentication server.

5. Authentication server challenges client.

6. Client responds with proper credentials.

7. Authentication server approves access.

8. Switch grants client access to this port.

USER AUTHENTICATION

ports in a network can be centrally controlled from a server, which means that authorized users can use the same credentials for authentication from any point within the network.

This switch uses

the Extensible

Authentication Protocol over LANs

(EAPOL) to exchange authentication protocol messages

with the client, and a remote RADIUS authentication server

to verify user identity and access rights. When a client (i.e., Supplicant) connects to a switch port, the switch (i.e., Authenticator) responds with an EAPOL identity request. The client provides its identity (such as a user name) in an EAPOL response to the switch, which it forwards to the RADIUS server. The RADIUS server verifies the client identity and sends an access challenge back to the client. The EAP packet from the RADIUS server contains not only the challenge, but the authentication method to be used. The client can reject the authentication method and request another, depending on the configuration of the client software and the RADIUS server. The authentication method can be MD5, TLS (Transport Layer Security), TTLS (Tunneled Transport Layer Security), or other. The client responds to the appropriate method with its credentials, such as a password or certificate. The RADIUS server verifies the client credentials and responds with an accept or reject packet. If authentication is successful, the switch allows the client to access the network. Otherwise, network access is denied and the port remains blocked.

The operation of dot1x on the switch requires the following:

•The switch must have an IP address assigned.

•RADIUS authentication must be enabled on the switch and the IP address of the RADIUS server specified.

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