Operation Manual – 802.1xH3C S7500 Series Ethernet Switches Chapter 1 802.1x Configuration1-1Chapter 1 802.1x ConfigurationWhen configuring 802.1x, go to these sections for information you are interested in:z Introduction to 802.1xz 802.1x Configurationz Basic 802.1x Configurationz Timer and Maximum User Number Configurationz Advanced 802.1x Configurationz Displaying and Debugging 802.1xz Configuration Example1.1 Introduction to 802.1xThe 802.1x protocol (802.1x for short) was developed by IEEE802 LAN/WANcommittee to address security issues of wireless LANs. It was then used in Ethernet asa common access control mechanism for LAN ports to address authentication andsecurity problems.802.1x is a port-based network access control protocol. It authenticates and controlsdevices attempting to access the LAN on the ports of access control devices. A deviceattached to a port can access the LAN only when it passes the authentication. Thosefailing to pass the authentication are denied, as if they were disconnected from theLAN.This section covers these topics:z Architecture of 802.1x Authenticationz 802.1x Authentication Mechanismz EAPoL Encapsulationz 802.1x Authentication Procedurez 802.1x Timerz 802.1x Implementation on an S7500 Series Switch1.1.1 Architecture of 802.1x Authentication802.1x adopts a client/server architecture with three entities: a supplicant system, anauthenticator system, and an authentication server system, as shown in Figure 1-1.
