Administrator Guide

Figure 4. EAP Frames Encapsulated in Ethernet and RADUIS
The authentication process involves three devices:
• The device attempting to access the network is the supplicant. The supplicant is not allowed to communicate on the network until the
authenticator authorizes the port. It can only communicate with the authenticator in response to 802.1X requests.
• The device with which the supplicant communicates is the authenticator. The authenticator is the gate keeper of the network. It
translates and forwards requests and responses between the authentication server and the supplicant. The authenticator also changes
the status of the port based on the results of the authentication process. The Dell Networking switch is the authenticator.
• The authentication-server selects the authentication method, veries the information the supplicant provides, and grants it network
access privileges.
Ports can be in one of two states:
• Ports are in an unauthorized state by default. In this state, non-802.1X trac cannot be forwarded in or out of the port.
• The authenticator changes the port state to authorized if the server can authenticate the supplicant. In this state, network trac can
be forwarded normally.
NOTE
: The Dell Networking switches place 802.1X-enabled ports in the unauthorized state by default.
Topics:
• Port-Authentication Process
• Conguring 802.1X
• Important Points to Remember
• Enabling 802.1X
• Conguring dot1x Prole
• Conguring MAC addresses for a do1x Prole
• Conguring the Static MAB and MAB Prole
• Conguring Critical VLAN
• Conguring Request Identity Re-Transmissions
• Forcibly Authorizing or Unauthorizing a Port
• Re-Authenticating a Port
802.1X
89