Dell PowerConnect B-FCXs, Руководство по настройке

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PowerConnect B-Series FCX Configuration Guide 1307
53-1002266-01
Chapter
37
Configuring Web Authentication
Table 231 lists individual Dell PowerConnect switches and the Web Authentication features they
support.
Overview
Authentication is important in enterprise networks because the network is considered a secure
area: it contains sensitive data and a finite amount of resources. Unauthorized users must be
prevented from accessing the network to protect the sensitive data and prevent the unnecessary
consumption of resources.
The ideal authentication method blocks unauthorized users at the earliest possible opportunity.
For internal enterprise networks, this can be controlled at the edge switch port. Two popular forms
of port-based security authentication used at the edge switch are multi-device port authentication
and 802.1x. Multi-device port authentication authenticates the MAC addresses of hosts or users
that are attempting to access the network. This type of authentication requires no intervention from
the host or user who is attempting to be authenticated. It is easy to use, but it can only authorize
hosts; it cannot be used to authorize users. 802.1x authentication can authorize users or hosts. It
is more flexible than the multi-device port authentication method; however, it requires more
support, configuration, maintenance and user intervention than multi-device port authentication.
The Dell Web authentication method provides an ideal port-based authentication alternative to
multi-device port authentication without the complexities and cost of 802.1x authentication. Hosts
gain access to the network by opening a Web browser and entering a valid URL address using HTTP
or HTTPS services. Instead of being routed to the URL, the host browser is directed to an
authentication Web page on the PowerConnect switch. The Web page prompts the host to enter a
user ID and password or a passcode. The credentials a host enters are used by a trusted source to
authenticate the host MAC address. (Multiple MAC addresses can be authenticated with the same
user name and password.)
If the authentication is unsuccessful, the appropriate page is displayed on the host browser. The
host is asked to try again or call for assistance, depending on what message is configured on the
Web page. If the host MAC address is authenticated by the trusted source, a Web page is displayed
with a hyperlink to the URL the host originally entered. If the user clicks on the link, a new window is
opened and the the user is directed to the requested URL.
TABLE 231 Supported Web Authentication features
Feature PowerConnect B-Series FCX
Enabling and disabling Web
Authentication Yes
Configuring the Web Authentication
mode Yes
Web Authentication options in this
chapter Yes