114
Configuring MAC authentication
Overview
MAC authentication controls network access by authenticating source MAC addresses on a port. It
does not require client software and users do not need to enter a username and password for
network access. The device initiates a MAC authentication process when it detects an unknown
source MAC address on a MAC authentication enabled port. If the MAC address passes
authentication, the user can access authorized network resources. If the authentication fails, the
device marks the MAC address as a silent MAC address, drops the packet, and starts a quiet timer.
The device drops all subsequent packets from the MAC address within the quiet time. The quiet
mechanism avoids repeated authentication during a short time.
NOTE:
If the MAC address that has failed authentication is a static MAC address or a MAC address that
has passed any security authentication, the device does not mark it as a silent address.
User account policies
MAC authentication supports the following user account policies:
• One MAC-based user account for each user. The access device uses the source MAC
addresses in packets as the usernames and passwords of users for MAC authentication. This
policy is suitable for an insecure environment.
• One shared user account for all users. You specify one username and password, which are not
necessarily a MAC address, for all MAC authentication users on the access device. This policy
is suitable for a secure environment.
Authentication methods
You can perform MAC authentication on the access device (local authentication) or through a
RADIUS server.
Suppose a source MAC unknown packet arrives at a MAC authentication enabled port.
Local authentication:
• If MAC-based accounts are used, the access device uses the source MAC address of the
packet as the username and password to search its local account database for a match.
• If a shared account is used, the access device uses the shared account username and
password to search its local account database for a match.
RADIUS authentication:
• If MAC-based accounts are used, the access device sends the source MAC address as the
username and password to the RADIUS server for authentication.
• If a shared account is used, the access device sends the shared account username and
password to the RADIUS server for authentication.
For more information about configuring local authentication and RADIUS authentication, see
"Configuring AAA."
To Next Page
Loading...
Need help?
General
