Cisco 500 Series - Chapter 22: Security: 802.1 X Authentication; Overview of 802.1 X

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Cisco 500 Series Stackable Managed Switch Administration Guide 481
Security: 802.1X Authentication
This section describes 802.1X authentication.
It covers the following topics:
• Overview of 802.1X
• Authenticator Overview
• Common Tasks
• 802.1X Configuration Through the GUI
• Defining Time Ranges
• Authentication Method and Port Mode Support
Overview of 802.1X
802.1x authentication restricts unauthorized clients from connecting to a LAN
through publicity-accessible ports. 802.1x authentication is a client-server model.
In this model, network devices have the following specific roles.
• Client or supplicant
• Authenticator
• Authentication server