Cisco WS-C2980G-A Software Guide - Page 499

Configuring 802.1x Authentication, Understanding How 802.1x Authentication Works

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31 C H A P T E R Configuring 802.1x Authentication This chapter describes how to configure 802.1x authentication on the Catalyst 4000 family switches. Note For complete syntax and usage information for the commands used in this chapter, refer to the Catalyst 4500 Series, Catalyst 2948G, and Catalyst 2980G Switches Command Reference publication. Note For information on configuring ports to allow or restrict traffic based on host MAC addresses, see Chapter 16, "Configuring Port Security." Note For information on configuring authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) to monitor and control access to the command-line interface (CLI) on the Catalyst 4000 family switches, see Chapter 30, "Configuring the Switch Access Using AAA." This chapter consists of these sections: • Understanding How 802.1x Authentication Works, page 31-1 • Authentication Default Configuration, page 31-7 • Authentication Configuration Guidelines, page 31-8 • Configuring 802.1x Authentication on the Switch, page 31-8 Understanding How 802.1x Authentication Works IEEE 802.1x is a client-server-based access control and authentication protocol that restricts unauthorized devices from connecting to a local area network (LAN) through publicly accessible ports. 802.1x authenticates each user device that is connected to a switch port before making available any services that are offered by the switch or the LAN. Until the device is authenticated, 802.1x access control allows only Extensible Authentication Protocol over LAN (EAPOL) traffic through the port to which the device is connected. After authentication is successful, normal traffic can pass through the port. 802.1x controls network access by creating two distinct virtual access points at each port. One access point is an uncontrolled port; the other is a controlled port. All traffic through the single port is available to both access points. Only EAPOL traffic is allowed to pass through the uncontrolled port, which is 78-15486-01 Catalyst 4500 Series, Catalyst 2948G, Catalyst 2980G Switches Software Configuration Guide-Release 8.1 31-1

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CHAPTER
31-1
Catalyst 4500 Series, Catalyst 2948G, Catalyst 2980G Switches Software Configuration Guide
Release 8.1
78-15486-01
31
Configuring 802.1x Authentication
This chapter describes how to configure 802.1x authentication on the Catalyst 4000 family switches.
Note
For complete syntax and usage information for the commands used in this chapter, refer to the
Catalyst 4500 Series, Catalyst 2948G, and Catalyst 2980G Switches Command Reference
publication.
Note
For information on configuring ports to allow or restrict traffic based on host MAC addresses, see
Chapter 16,
“Configuring Port Security.”
Note
For information on configuring authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) to monitor and
control access to the command-line interface (CLI) on the Catalyst 4000 family switches, see
Chapter 30,
“Configuring the Switch Access Using AAA.”
This chapter consists of these sections:
Understanding How 802.1x Authentication Works, page 31-1
Authentication Default Configuration, page 31-7
Authentication Configuration Guidelines, page 31-8
Configuring 802.1x Authentication on the Switch, page 31-8
Understanding How 802.1x Authentication Works
IEEE 802.1x is a client-server-based access control and authentication protocol that restricts
unauthorized devices from connecting to a local area network (LAN) through publicly accessible ports.
802.1x authenticates each user device that is connected to a switch port before making available any
services that are offered by the switch or the LAN. Until the device is authenticated, 802.1x access
control allows only Extensible Authentication Protocol over LAN (EAPOL) traffic through the port to
which the device is connected. After authentication is successful, normal traffic can pass through the
port.
802.1x controls network access by creating two distinct virtual access points at each port. One access
point is an uncontrolled port; the other is a controlled port. All traffic through the single port is available
to both access points. Only EAPOL traffic is allowed to pass through the uncontrolled port, which is