Example for Configuring 802.1X Authentication to Control User Access

802.1X Authentication Overview

802.1X is a port-based network access control protocol and 802.1X authentication is one of NAC authentication modes. 802.1X authentication ensures security of enterprise intranets.

802.1X authentication ensures high security; however, it requires that 802.1X client software be installed on user terminals, resulting in inflexible network deployment. Another two NAC authentication methods have their advantages and disadvantages: MAC address authentication does not require client software installation, but MAC addresses must be registered on an authentication server. Portal authentication also does not require client software installation and provides flexible deployment, but it has low security.

As a result, 802.1X authentication is applied to scenarios with new networks, centralized user distribution, and strict information security requirements. In addition, 802.1X authentication supports MAC address bypass authentication so that the dumb terminals on 802.1X authentication networks can be connected after passing authentication.

Configuration Notes

This configuration example applies to all switches running all versions.

Networking Requirements

As shown in Figure 1, the terminals in an office are connected to the company's internal network through the Switch. Unauthorized access to the internal network can damage the company's service system and cause leakage of key information. Therefore, the administrator requires that the Switch should control the users' network access rights to ensure internal network security.

Figure 1 Networking diagram for configuring 802.1X authentication

Configuration Roadmap

The configuration roadmap is as follows:

1. Create and configure a RADIUS server template, an AAA scheme, and an authentication domain. Bind the RADIUS server template and AAA scheme to the authentication domain so that the Switch can authenticate access users through the RADIUS server.
2. Configure 802.1X authentication on the Switch.
   1. Enable 802.1X authentication to control network access rights of the employees in the office.
   2. Enable MAC address bypass authentication to authenticate terminals (such as printers) that cannot install 802.1X authentication client software.
   

   • Before configuring this example, ensure that devices can communicate with each other in the network.
   • In this example, the LAN switch exists between the access switch Switch and users. To ensure that users can pass 802.1X authentication, you must configure the EAP packet transparent transmission function on the LAN switch. Method 1: The S5700-LI is used as an example of the LAN switch. Perform the following operations:

     1. Run the l2protocol-tunnel user-defined-protocol 802.1x protocol-mac 0180-c200-0003 group-mac 0100-0000-0002 command in the system view of the LAN switch to configure the LAN switch to transparently transmit EAP packets.
     2. Run the l2protocol-tunnel user-defined-protocol 802.1x enable command on the interface connecting to users and the interface connecting to the access switch to enable the Layer 2 protocol tunneling function.

     Method 2: This method is recommended when a large number of users exist or high network performance is required. Only the S5720-EI, S5720-HI, S5730-HI, S5731-H, S5731S-H, S5731-S, S5731S-S, S6720-EI, S6720-HI, S6720S-EI, S5732-H, S6730-H, S6730S-H, S6730-S, and S6730S-S support this method.

     1. Run the following commands in the system view:
        • undo bpdu mac-address 0180-c200-0000 ffff-ffff-fff0
        • bpdu mac-address 0180-c200-0000 FFFF-FFFF-FFFE
        • bpdu mac-address 0180-c200-0002 FFFF-FFFF-FFFF
        • bpdu mac-address 0180-c200-0004 FFFF-FFFF-FFFC
        • bpdu mac-address 0180-c200-0008 FFFF-FFFF-FFF8
     2. (This step is mandatory when you switch from method 1 to method 2.) Run the undo l2protocol-tunnel user-defined-protocol 802.1x enable command in the interface view to delete the configuration of transparent transmission of 802.1x protocol packets.