Cisco SLM2008PT-NA Administration Guide - Page 33

Advanced Configuration Security 5 response to the switch, which it forwards to the RADIUS server. The RADIUS server verifies the client identity and sends an access challenge back to the client. The EAP packet from the RADIUS server contains not only the challenge, but the authentication method to be used. The client can reject the authentication method and request another, depending on the configuration of the client software and the RADIUS server. The authentication method must be MD5. The client responds to the appropriate method with its credentials, such as a password or certificate. The RADIUS server verifies the client credentials and responds with an accept or reject packet. If authentication is successful, the switch allows the client to access the network. Otherwise, network access is denied and the port remains blocked. The operation of 802.1X on the Cisco SLM2008 switch requires the following: • The switch must have an IP address assigned. • RADIUS authentication must be enabled on the switch and the IP address of the RADIUS server specified. • 802.1X must be enabled globally for the switch. • Each switch port that will be used must be set to dot1X "Auto" mode. • Each client that needs to be authenticated must have dot1X client software installed and properly configured. • The RADIUS server and 802.1X client support EAP. (The switch only supports EAPOL in order to pass the EAP packets from the server to the client.) • The RADIUS server and client also have to support the same EAP authentication type - MD5. (Some clients have native support in Windows, otherwise the dot1x client must support it.) Cisco SLM2008 8-Port Gigabit Smart Switch with PD and AC Power Administration Guide 28