Configuring Security
Configuring 802.1X
Cisco Small Business 200 1.1 Series Smart Switch Administration Guide 246
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The 802.1x is an IEEE standard for port-based network access control. The 802.1x
framework enables a device (the supplicant) to request port access from a remote
device (authenticator) to which it is connected. Only when the supplicant
requesting port access is authenticated and authorized is it permitted to send
data to the port. Otherwise, the authenticator discards the supplicant data.
Authentication of the supplicant is performed by an external RADIUS server
through the authenticator. The authenticator monitors the result of the
authentication.
In the 802.1x standard, a device can be a supplicant and an authenticator at a port
simultaneously, requesting port access and granting port access. However, this
device is only the authenticator, and does not take on the role of a supplicant.
The following varieties of 802.1X exist:
• Single session 802.1X:
- A1 —Single-session/single host. In this mode, the switch, as an
authenticator, supports a single 802.1x session and grants permission to
use the port to the authorized supplicant. All access by other devices
received from the same port are denied until the authorized supplicant is
no longer using the port or the access is to the unauthenticated VLAN.
- Single session/multiple hosts—This follows the 802.1x standard. In this
mode, the switch as an authenticator allows any device to use a port as
long as it has been granted permission.
• Multi-Session 802.1X—Every device (supplicant) connecting to a port
must be authenticated and authorized by the switch (authenticator)
separately in a different 802.1x session. Authentication Methods
The authentication method can be:
• 802.1x—The switch supports the authentication mechanism as described in
the standard to authenticate and authorize 802.1x supplicants.
802.1X Parameters Workflow
Define the 802.1X parameters as follows:
• (Optional) Define one or more static VLANs as unauthenticated VLANs as
described in the Defining 802.1X Properties section. 802.1x authorized
and unauthorized devices or ports can always send or receive packets to or
from unauthenticated VLANs.
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