TP-Link T1600G-18TS Jetstream Smart Switches User Guide - Page 661

Configuring 802.1x Overview 1 Overview 802.1x protocol is a protocol for port-based Network Access Control. It is used to authenticate and control access from devices connected to the ports. If the device connected to the port is authenticated by the authentication server successfully, its request to access the LAN will be accepted; if not, its request will be denied. 802.1x authentication uses client-server model which contains three device roles: client/ supplicant, authenticator and authentication server. This is described in the figure below: Figure 1-1 802.1x Authentication Model Clients Switch Authenticator Authentication Server ■■ Client A client, usually a computer, is connected to the authenticator via a physical port. We recommend that you install TP-Link 802.1x authentication client software on the client hosts, enabling them to request 802.1x authentication to access the LAN. ■■ Authenticator An authenticator is usually a network device that supports 802.1x protocol. As the above figure shows, the switch is an authenticator. The authenticator acts as an intermediate proxy between the client and the authentication server. The authenticator requests user information from the client and sends it to the authentication server; also, the authenticator obtains responses from the authentication server and send them to the client. The authenticator allows authenticated clients to access the LAN through the connected ports but denies the unauthenticated clients. ■■ Authentication Server The authentication server is usually the host running the RADIUS server program. It stores information of clients, confirms whether a client is legal and informs the authenticator whether a client is authenticated. User Guide 636