802.1X Configuration - GE 82-POE User Manual

Chapter 4: Web-Based Management

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.
GE-DS-82 and 82-PoE Ethernet Managed Switch User Manual 123