Introduction To Habp; Habp Server Configuration - Huawei Quidway S5600 Series Operation Manual

Operation Manual – 802.1x
Quidway S5600 Series Ethernet Switches-Release 1510
Chapter 2 HABP Configuration

2.1 Introduction to HABP

With 802.1x enabled, a switch authenticates and then authorizes 802.1x-enabled ports.
Packets can be forwarded only by authorized ports. If ports connected to the switch are
not authenticated and authorized by 802.1x, their received packets will be filtered. This
means that users can no longer manage the attached switches. To address this
problem, Huawei authentication bypass protocol (HABP) has been developed.
An HABP packet carries the MAC addresses of the attached switches with it. It can
bypass the 802.1x authentications when traveling between HABP-enabled switches,
through which management devices can obtain the MAC addresses of the attached
switches and thus the management of the attached switches is feasible.
An HABP packet encapsulates the MAC address of the connected switch to a given
port. This allows HABP packets to bypass 802.1x authentication and to be forwarded
between HABP-enabled switches. Therefore, the management devices can get the
MAC addresses of their attached switches to manage them effectively.
HABP is implemented by HABP server and HABP client. Normally, an HABP server
sends HABP request packets regularly to HABP clients to collect the MAC addresses of
the attached switches. HABP clients respond to the HABP request packets and forward
the HABP request packets to lower-level switches. HABP servers usually reside on
management devices and HABP clients usually on attached switches.
For ease of switch management, it is recommended that you enable HABP for
802.1x-enabled switches.

2.2 HABP Server Configuration

With the HABP server launched, a management device sends HABP request packets
regularly to the attached switches to collect their MAC addresses. You need also to
configure the interval on the management device for an HABP server to send HABP
request packets.
Table 2-1 Configure an HABP server
Operation
Enter system view
Enable HABP
Command
system-view
habp enable
Huawei Technologies Proprietary
2-1
Chapter 2 HABP Configuration
Description
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Required
HABP is enabled by default.