LevelOne GEL-5261, User Manual

Page: 301 / 570

Chapter 12
| Security Measures
Configuring 802.1X Port Authentication
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Security), PEAP (Protected Extensible Authentication Protocol), or TTLS (Tunneled
Transport Layer Security). 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, non-EAP
traffic on the port is blocked or assigned to a guest VLAN based on the “intrusion -
action” setting. In “multi - host” mode, only one host connected to a port needs to
pass authentication for all other hosts to be granted network access. Similarly, a
port can become unauthorized for all hosts if one attached host fails re-
authentication or sends an EAPOL logoff message.
Figure 190: Configuring Port Authentication
802.1x
client
RADIUS
server
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.
The operation of 802.1X 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.
◆
802.1X must be enabled globally for the switch.
◆
Each switch port that will be used must be set to dot1X “Auto” mode.
◆
Each client that needs to be authenticated must have dot1X client software
installed and properly configured.
◆ The RADIUS server and 802.1X client support EAP. (The switch only supports
EAPOL in order to pass the EAP packets from the server to the client.)
◆
The RADIUS server and client also have to support the same EAP authentication
type
– MD5, PEAP, TLS, or TTLS. (Native support for these encryption methods is
provided in Windows 8, 7, Vista and XP, and in Windows 2000 with Service Pack
4. To support these encryption methods in Windows 95 and 98, you can use the
AEGIS dot1x client or other comparable client software)