Default Setting
Feature
None specified.
Authenticator (switch) mode
Disabled.
MAC authentication bypass
802.1x Authentication Configuration Guidelines
802.1x Authentication
These are the 802.1x authentication configuration guidelines:
•
When 802.1x authentication is enabled, ports are authenticated before any other Layer 2 or Layer 3
features are enabled.
•
If the VLAN to which an 802.1x-enabled port is assigned changes, this change is transparent and does
not affect the switch. For example, this change occurs if a port is assigned to a RADIUS server-assigned
VLAN and is then assigned to a different VLAN after re-authentication.
If the VLAN to which an 802.1x port is assigned to shut down, disabled, or removed, the port becomes
unauthorized. For example, the port is unauthorized after the access VLAN to which a port is assigned
shuts down or is removed.
•
The 802.1x protocol is supported on Layer 2 static-access ports, voice VLAN ports, and Layer 3 routed
ports, but it is not supported on these port types:
◦
Trunk port
—
If you try to enable 802.1x authentication on a trunk port, an error message appears,
and 802.1x authentication is not enabled. If you try to change the mode of an 802.1x-enabled port
to trunk, an error message appears, and the port mode is not changed.
◦
Dynamic ports
—
A port in dynamic mode can negotiate with its neighbor to become a trunk port.
If you try to enable 802.1x authentication on a dynamic port, an error message appears, and 802.1x
authentication is not enabled. If you try to change the mode of an 802.1x-enabled port to dynamic,
an error message appears, and the port mode is not changed.
◦
Dynamic-access ports
—
If you try to enable 802.1x authentication on a dynamic-access (VLAN
Query Protocol [VQP]) port, an error message appears, and 802.1x authentication is not enabled.
If you try to change an 802.1x-enabled port to dynamic VLAN assignment, an error message
appears, and the VLAN configuration is not changed.
◦
EtherChannel port
—
Do not configure a port that is an active or a not-yet-active member of an
EtherChannel as an 802.1x port. If you try to enable 802.1x authentication on an EtherChannel
port, an error message appears, and 802.1x authentication is not enabled.
◦
Switched Port Analyzer (SPAN) and Remote SPAN (RSPAN) destination ports
—
You can enable
802.1x authentication on a port that is a SPAN or RSPAN destination port. However, 802.1x
authentication is disabled until the port is removed as a SPAN or RSPAN destination port. You
can enable 802.1x authentication on a SPAN or RSPAN source port.
•
Before globally enabling 802.1x authentication on a switch by entering the
dot1x system-auth-control
global configuration command, remove the EtherChannel configuration from the interfaces on which
802.1x authentication and EtherChannel are configured.
Catalyst 2960-XR Switch Security Configuration Guide, Cisco IOS Release 15.0(2)EX1
OL-29434-01
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Configuring IEEE 802.1x Port-Based Authentication
802.1x Authentication Configuration Guidelines