dropped. If the client does not receive an EAP-request/identity frame after three attempts to start
authentication, the client transmits frames as if the port is in the authorized state. A port in the authorized
state effectively means that the client has been successfully authenticated.
When the client supplies its identity, the switch begins its role as the intermediary, passing EAP frames between
the client and the authentication server until authentication succeeds or fails. If the authentication succeeds, the
switch port becomes authorized. For more information, see the
"Ports in Authorized and Unauthorized States"
section
The specific exchange of EAP frames depends on the authentication method being used. “Figure 2-43” shows a
message exchange initiated by the client using the One-Time-Password (OTP) authentication method with a
RADIUS server.
Ports in Authorized and Unauthorized States
The switch port state determines whether or not the client is granted access to the network. The port starts in the
unauthorized
state. While in this state, the port disallows all ingress and egress traffic except for 802.1X protocol
packets. When a client is successfully authenticated, the port transitions to the
authorized
state, allowing all traffic
for the client to flow normally.
