Mac-Based Authentication - HP ProCurve 6120G/XG Manual

A client may not be authenticated due to invalid credentials or a RADIUS
server timeout. The max-retries parameter specifies how many times a client
may enter their credentials before authentication fails. The server-timeout
parameter sets how long the switch waits to receive a response from the
RADIUS server before timing out. The max-requests parameter specifies how
many authentication attempts may result in a RADIUS server timeout before
authentication fails. The switch waits a specified amount of time (quiet­
period) before processing any new authentication requests from the client.
Network administrators may assign unauthenticated clients to a specific
static, untagged VLAN (unauth-vid), to provide access to specific (guest)
network resources. If no VLAN is assigned to unauthenticated clients the port
is blocked and no network access is available. Should another client success­
fully authenticate through that port any unauthenticated clients on the unauth­
vid are dropped from the port.

MAC-based Authentication

When a client connects to a MAC-Auth enabled port traffic is blocked. The
switch immediately submits the client's MAC address (in the format specified
by the addr-format) as its certification credentials to the RADIUS server for
authentication.
If the client is authenticated and the maximum number of MAC addresses
allowed on the port (addr-limit) has not been reached, the port is assigned to
a static, untagged VLAN for network access.
The assigned VLAN is determined, in order of priority, as follows:
1. If there is a RADIUS-assigned VLAN, then, for the duration of the client
session, the port belongs to this VLAN and temporarily drops all other
VLAN memberships.
2. If there is no RADIUS-assigned VLAN, then, for the duration of the client
session, the port belongs to the Authorized VLAN (auth-vid if configured)
and temporarily drops all other VLAN memberships.
3. If neither 1 or 2, above, apply, but the port is an untagged member of a
statically configured, port-based VLAN, then the port remains in this
VLAN.
4. If neither 1, 2, or 3, above, apply, then the client session does not have
access to any statically configured, untagged VLANs and client access is
blocked.
Web and MAC Authentication
How Web and MAC Authentication Operate
3-9