

802.1X is used so devices can communicate securely with access points (enterprise-grade routers). If you are an organization dealing with valuable and sensitive information, you need a secure method of transporting data. The EAP protocol can be configured for credential (EAP-TTLS/PAP and PEAP-MSCHAPv2) and digital certificate (EAP-TLS) authentication and is a highly secure method for protecting the authentication process.Ĩ02.1X is used for secure network authentication. It provides an encrypted EAP tunnel that prevents outside users from intercepting information.

802.1X is the standard that is used for passing EAP over wired and wireless Local Area Networks (LAN). The standard authentication protocol used on encrypted networks is Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP), which provides a secure method to send identifying information over-the-air for network authentication. The RADIUS server is able to do this by communicating with the organization’s directory, typically over the LDAP or SAML protocol. The user’s identity is determined based on their credentials or certificate, which is confirmed by the RADIUS server. How does 802.1X work?Ĩ02.1X is a network authentication protocol that opens ports for network access when an organization authenticates a user’s identity and authorizes them for access to the network.

This allows unique credentials or certificates to be used per user, eliminating the reliance on a single network password that can be easily stolen. It checks a user’s credentials to see if they are an active member of the organization and, depending on the network policies, grants users varying levels of access to the network. IEEE 802.1X, an IEEE Standard for Port-Based Network Access Control (PNAC), provides protected authentication for secure network access.Īn 802.1X network is different from home networks in one major way it has an authentication server called a RADIUS Server. What is IEEE 802.1X?ĭevices attempting to connect to a LAN or WLAN require an authentication mechanism. Below we will cover how 802.1X works, it’s components, what it’s used for, vulnerabilities, how to set it up, and much much more. Luckily, we’ve been fortunate enough to have worked with 802.1X since it’s inception, and did the best job we could to explain everything we know about it. 802.1X can be a complex topic to digest and, like the rest of networking, it can be overwhelming where to start learning about it.
