How Network Login Works - 3Com SuperStack 3 3812 Implementation Manual

What is Network Login? 79
remote RADIUS server in the network for authentication. This information
must be successfully authenticated and authorized before the client
device is granted access to the network.
For further information about RADIUS, see "What is RADIUS?" on
page 83.
The client device must be directly connected to the Switch port (no
intervening switch or hub) as the Switch uses the link status to determine
if an authorized client device is connected. Network Login will not
operate correctly if there is a "bridge" device between the client device
and the Switch port, or if there are multiple client devices attached via a
hub to the Switch port.
In addition to providing protection against unauthorized network access,
Network Login also allows the user of a port to be identified. This user
identification information can be used for service accounting or billing, or
to help network administrators resolve problems.
Network Login is a feature that is particularly relevant in publicly
accessible networks, such as education campuses or conference facilities,
which often have limited control over physical access to areas with live
network connections.
Network Login is based on the IEEE Std 802.1X-2001, which defines a
mechanism for user authentication for port-based network access
control.
Network Login
How When Network Login is enabled the Switch acts as a relay agent between
Works the client device that is requesting access to the network and the RADIUS
server. The authentication information that is exchanged between the
client device and the RADIUS server is received and transmitted by the
Switch, as shown in Figure 18. The Switch does not interpret or store this
information.