Port Access Entity (802.1X); 802.1X Port-Based And Mac-Based Access Control; Authentication Server - D-Link DES-6500 Manual

DES-6500 Chassis-based Layer 3 Ethernet Switch Manual

Port Access Entity (802.1X)

802.1x Port-Based and MAC-Based Access Control

The IEEE 802.1x standard is a security measure for authorizing and authenticating users to gain access to various wired or
wireless devices on a specified Local Area Network by using a Client and Server based access control model. This is
accomplished by using a RADIUS server to authenticate users trying to access a network by relaying Extensible
Authentication Protocol over LAN (EAPOL) packets between the Client and the Server. The following figure represents a
basic EAPOL packet:
Figure 6- 83. The EAPOL Packet
Utilizing this method, unauthorized devices are restricted from connecting to a LAN through a port to which the user is
connected. EAPOL packets are the only traffic that can be transmitted through the specific port until authorization is
granted. The 802.1x Access Control method holds three roles, each of which are vital to creating and upkeeping a stable
and working Access Control security method.
Figure 6- 84. The three roles of 802.1x
The following section will explain the three roles of Client, Authenticator and Authentication Server in greater detail.

Authentication Server

The Authentication Server is a remote device that is connected to the same network as the Client and Authenticator, must
be running a RADIUS Server program and must be configured properly on the Authenticator (Switch). Clients connected
to a port on the Switch must be authenticated by the Authentication Server (RADIUS) before attaining any services offered
by the Switch on the LAN. The role of the Authentication Server is to certify the identity of the Client attempting to access
the network by exchanging secure information between the RADIUS server and the Client through EAPOL packets and, in
turn, informs the Switch whether or not the Client is granted access to the LAN and/or switches services.
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