LevelOne GSW-4876 Manual - Page 88
This switch uses the Extensible Authentication Protocol over LANs EAPOL, Windows XP
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CHAPTER 4 | Configuring the Switch Configuring Security This switch uses the Extensible Authentication Protocol over LANs (EAPOL) to exchange authentication protocol messages with the client, and a remote RADIUS authentication server to verify user identity and access rights. These backend servers are configured on the AAA menu (see page 119). When a client (i.e., Supplicant) connects to a switch port, the switch (i.e., Authenticator) responds with an EAPOL identity request. The client provides its identity (such as a user name) in an EAPOL 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 encryption method used by IEEE 802.1X to pass authentication messages can be MD5 (Message-Digest 5), TLS (Transport Layer Security), PEAP (Protected Extensible Authentication Protocol), or TTLS (Tunneled Transport Layer Security). However, note that the only encryption method supported by MAC-Based authentication is 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 switch requires the following: ◆ The switch must have an IP address assigned (see page 46). ◆ RADIUS authentication must be enabled on the switch and the IP address of the RADIUS server specified. Backend RADIUS servers are configured on the Authentication Configuration page (see page 119). ◆ 802.1X / MAC-based authentication must be enabled globally for the switch. ◆ The Admin State for each switch port that requires client authentication must be set to 802.1X or MAC-based. ◆ When using 802.1X authentication: ■ Each client that needs to be authenticated must have dot1x client software installed and properly configured. ■ When using 802.1X authentication, the RADIUS server and 802.1X client must 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, PEAP, TLS, or TTLS. (Native support for these encryption methods is provided in Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, and in Windows 2000 with Service Pack 4. To support - 88 -