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Dell EMC Configuration Guide for the S4048T–ON System 9.14.2.4

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802.1X

802.1X is a port-based Network Access Control (PNAC) that provides an authentication mechanism to devices wishing to attach to a LAN or WLAN. A device connected to a port that is enabled with 802.1X is disallowed from sending or receiving packets on the network until its identity is verified (through a username and password, for example).

802.1X employs Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) to transfer a device’s credentials to an authentication server (typically RADIUS) using a mandatory intermediary network access device, in this case, a Dell EMC Networking switch. The network access device mediates all communication between the end-user device and the authentication server so that the network remains secure. The network access device uses EAP-over-Ethernet (EAPOL) to communicate with the end-user device and EAP-over-RADIUS to communicate with the server.

NOTE The Dell EMC Networking Operating System (OS) supports 802.1X with EAP-MD5, EAP-OTP, EAP-TLS, EAP-TTLS, PEAPv0, PEAPv1, and MS-CHAPv2 with PEAP.

The following figures show how the EAP frames are encapsulated in Ethernet and RADIUS frames.

Figure 1. EAP Frames Encapsulated in Ethernet and RADUIS
Illustration of EAP frames encapsulated in Ethernet and RADUIS
Figure 2. EAP Frames Encapsulated in Ethernet and RADUIS
Illustration of EAP frames encapsulated in Ethernet and RADUIS
The authentication process involves three devices:
  • The device attempting to access the network is the supplicant. The supplicant is not allowed to communicate on the network until the authenticator authorizes the port. It can only communicate with the authenticator in response to 802.1X requests.
  • The device with which the supplicant communicates is the authenticator. The authenticator is the gate keeper of the network. It translates and forwards requests and responses between the authentication server and the supplicant. The authenticator also changes the status of the port based on the results of the authentication process. The Dell EMC Networking switch is the authenticator.
  • The authentication-server selects the authentication method, verifies the information the supplicant provides, and grants it network access privileges.
Ports can be in one of two states:
  • Ports are in an unauthorized state by default. In this state, non-802.1X traffic cannot be forwarded in or out of the port.
  • The authenticator changes the port state to authorized if the server can authenticate the supplicant. In this state, network traffic can be forwarded normally.
NOTE The Dell EMC Networking switches place 802.1X-enabled ports in the unauthorized state by default.

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