IEEE 802.1X Certificates
IEEE 802.1X is a standard that enables port-based network access control via an authentication
server. The protocol requires that all devices must be authenticated before gaining privileges to
access the secure part of the network.
The Extron implementation of 802.1X supports PEAP - MSCHAPV2 and EAP - TLS methods of
authentication. This section of the guide details the Certificate File Requirements (see below) and
the Private Key File Requirements (see below) to be used in the system.
Extron provides resources for learning about 802.1X implementation:
•
The Extron 802.1X Technology Reference Guide, available from
primary resource for background information, system planning, topology, and how to set up
these systems.
•
The Toolbelt Help file provides detailed step-by-step information on using the software to set
up 802.1X for TouchLink Pro control systems and on troubleshooting.
•
The 802.1X Primer white paper, also available from
, provides a general
overview of the protocol and its use within a control system.
NOTES:
•
You must run Toolbelt as an administrator.
•
Machine certificates require a private key file, which can be encrypted.
Certificate File Requirements
PEM (Privacy-enhanced Electronic Mail) file types are ASCII encoded, and they are the required
format for 802.1X authentication for the TouchLink Pro control systems. DER (Distinguished
Encoding Rules) file types are binary encoded and can typically have several file extension
variations, such as .crt and .cer.
NOTE:
DER encoded files (files with .der, .crt, or .cer extensions that are encoded in DER
binary format) must be converted to a PEM encoded file type (.pem) before being used for
authentication.
DER encoded certificates must be converted to PEM encoding using a third-party tool. Contact
your IT administrator for more information on required tools.
To create the 802.1X security certificate for uploading to Extron TouchLink Pro control systems,
ensure that the certificate file meets the following requirements:
•
It contains X.509 certificate information.
•
It contains a private key (for machine certificates only).
•
It is PEM encoded.
•
It has a file extension that is .crt or .pem
•
Its file name consists of the following types of valid characters:
•
Alphanumerical (A-Z, a-z, 0-9) characters
•
Some special characters (colon [:], underscore [_], and hyphen [-])
NOTE:
Spaces are not permitted anywhere in the name.
Private Key File Requirements
Private key files are required only when employing machine certificates. Follow these
requirements for creating a private key:
•
Its file name consists of the following types of valid characters:
•
Alphanumerical (A-Z, a-z, 0-9) characters
•
Some special characters (colon [:], underscore [_], and hyphen [-])
•
It has a file extension that is .key or .pem.
•
It can have optional encryption (via password or passphrase).
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