Users Guide

Dell PowerConnect 55xx Systems User Guide 127
Dot1x Authentication
This section describes Dot1x authentication.
It contains the following topics:
• Port-Based Authentication Overview
•Dot1x Overview
• Port-Based Authentication Global
• Port-Based Authentication Interface Settings
• Monitoring Users
• Host Authentication
• Port Authentication Users
Port-Based Authentication Overview
Port-based authentication enables authenticating system users on a per-port
basis via an external server. Only authenticated and approved system users
can transmit and receive data. Ports are authenticated via the RADIUS server
using the Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP). Port Authentication
includes:
• Authenticators — Specifies the device port that is authenticated before
permitting system access.
•
Supplicants — Specifies the host connected to the authenticated port hat
is requesting to access the system services.
•
Authentication Server — Specifies the external server, for example, a
RADIUS server, which performs authentication on behalf of the
authenticator, and indicates whether the supplicant is authorized to access
system services.
Port-based authentication creates two access states:
• Controlled Access — Permits communication between the supplicant and
the system, if the supplicant is authorized.
•
Uncontrolled Access — Permits uncontrolled communication, regardless
of the port authorization state.