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Port Security Configuration
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The term switch used throughout this chapter refers to a switching device in a generic sense or the
switching engine of a unified switch in the WX3000 series.
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The sample output information in this manual was created on the WX3024. The output information
on your device may vary.
Port Security Overview
Introduction
Port security is a security mechanism for network access control. It is an expansion to the current
802.1x and MAC address authentication.
Port security allows you to define various security modes that enable devices to learn legal source MAC
addresses, so that you can implement different network security management as needed.
With port security enabled, packets whose source MAC addresses cannot be learned by the device in
the security mode are considered illegal packets. The events that cannot pass 802.1x authentication or
MAC authentication are considered illegal.
With port security enabled, upon detecting an illegal packet or illegal event, the system triggers the
corresponding port security features and takes pre-defined actions automatically. This reduces your
maintenance workload and greatly enhances system security and manageability.
Port Security Features
The following port security features are provided:
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NTK (need to know) feature: By checking the destination MAC addresses in outbound data frames
on the port, NTK ensures that the device sends data frames through the port only to successfully
authenticated devices, thus preventing illegal devices from intercepting network data.
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Intrusion protection feature: By checking the source MAC addresses in inbound data frames or the
username and password in 802.1x authentication requests on the port, intrusion protection detects
illegal packets or events and takes a pre-set action accordingly. The actions you can set include:
disconnecting the port temporarily/permanently, and blocking packets with the MAC address
specified as illegal.
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Trap feature: When special data packets (generated from illegal intrusion, abnormal login/logout or
other special activities) are passing through a port on the device, device tracking enables the
switch to send Trap messages to help the network administrator monitor special activities.
