Port Authentication; Chapter 18 Port Authentication; Port Authentication Overview; What You Can Do - ZyXEL Communications GS2210 Series User Manual

18.1 Port Authentication Overview

This chapter describes the IEEE 802.1x authentication method.
Port authentication is a way to validate access to ports on the Switch to clients based on an external
server (authentication server). The Switch supports the following method for port authentication:
• IEEE 802.1x
password provided by the user.

18.1.1 What You Can Do

• Use the Port Authentication screen
authentication is activated.
• Use the 802.1x screen

18.1.2 What You Need to Know

IEEE 802.1x authentication uses the RADIUS (Remote Authentication Dial In User Service, RFC
2138, 2139) protocol to validate users. See
configuring your RADIUS server settings.
IEEE 802.1x Authentication
The following figure illustrates how a client connecting to a IEEE 802.1x authentication enabled port
goes through a validation process. The Switch prompts the client for login information in the form of
a user name and password. When the client provides the login credentials, the Switch sends an
authentication request to a RADIUS server. The RADIUS server validates whether this client is
allowed access to the port.
2. At the time of writing, IEEE 802.1x is not supported by all operating systems. See your operating system documentation.
If your operating system does not support 802.1x, then you may need to install 802.1x client software.
GS2210 Series User's Guide
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- An authentication server validates access to a port based on a username and
(Section 18.2 on page
(Section 18.3 on page
C
HAPTER

Port Authentication

144) to check if IEEE 802.1x port
144) to activate IEEE 802.1x security.
Section on page 179 for more information on
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143