DES-1228/ME Layer 2 Fast Ethernet Managed Switch 
 
165
 
Figure 10- 22. 802.1X Authenticator Settings window (Modify) 
This window allows users to set the following features: 
Parameter                 Description 
From/To] 
Enter the port or ports to be set. 
AdmDir   Sets the administrative-controlled direction to either In or Both.  
If In is selected, control is only exerted over incoming traffic through the port you selected in 
the first field.  
If Both are selected, control is exerted over both incoming and outgoing traffic through the 
controlled port selected in the first field. 
PortControl 
This allows you to control the port authorization state.  
Select forceAuthorized to disable 802.1X and cause the port to transition to the authorized 
state without any authentication exchange required. This means the port transmits and 
receives normal traffic without 802.1X-based authentication of the client.  
If forceUnauthorized is selected, the port will remain in the unauthorized state, ignoring all 
attempts by the client to authenticate. The Switch cannot provide authentication services to 
the client through the interface.  
If Auto is selected, it will enable 802.1X and cause the port to begin in the unauthorized 
state, allowing only EAPOL frames to be sent and received through the port. The 
authentication process begins when the link state of the port transitions from down to up, or 
when an EAPOL-start frame is received. The Switch then requests the identity of the client 
and begins relaying authentication messages between the client and the authentication 
server. 
The default setting is Auto. 
TxPeriod 
This sets the TxPeriod of time for the authenticator PAE state mach
determines the period of an EAP Request/Identity packet transmitted to the client. The 
default setting is 30 seconds. 
QuietPeriod  
This allows you to set the number of seconds that the Switch remains in the quiet state 
following a failed authentication exchange with the client. The default setting is 60 seconds.