Interlogix GE-DS-242-PoE, User Manual

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Chapter 4: Console Management
GE-DS-242-PoE Managed Ethernet Switch User Manual 115
802.1X Configuration
802.1x is an IEEE authentication specification which prevents the client from
accessing a wireless access point or wired switch until it provides authority, like
the user name and password that are verified by an authentication server (such
as RADIUS server).
Understanding IEEE 802.1X Port-Based Authentication
The IEEE 802.1X standard defines a client-server-based access control and
authentication protocol that restricts unauthorized clients from connecting to a
LAN through publicly accessible ports. The authentication server authenticates
each client connected to a switch port before making available any services
offered by the switch or the LAN.
Until the client is authenticated, 802.1X access control allows only Extensible
Authentication Protocol over LAN (EAPOL) traffic through the port to which the
client is connected. After authentication is successful, normal traffic can pass
through the port.
This section includes this conceptual information:

Device Roles

Authentication Initiation and Message Exchange

Ports in Authorized and Unauthorized States

Device Roles
With 802.1X port-based authentication, the devices in the network have specific
roles as shown below.
Figure 4-63: 802.1x device role