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Why 802.1X Authentication Users Cannot Pass Authentication When a Layer 2 Switch Exists Between the 802.1X-Enabled Device and Users?

The EAP packet in 802.1X authentication is a bridge protocol data unit (BPDU). By default, Huawei switches do not perform Layer 2 forwarding for BPDUs. If a Layer switch still exists between the 802.1X-enabled device and a user, Layer 2 transparent transmission must be configured on the switch. Otherwise, the EAP packet sent by the user cannot reach the authentication device and the user cannot pass authentication.

To configure Layer 2 transparent transmission of 802.1X authentication packets, perform the following operations:
  1. Run the l2protocol-tunnel user-defined-protocol dot1x protocol-mac 0180-c200-0003 group-mac 0100-0000-0002 command in the global view of the Layer 2 switch.
  2. Run the l2protocol-tunnel user-defined-protocol dot1x enable and bpdu enable commands on the interface connecting the Layer 2 switch to the uplink network and all downlink interfaces connected to users.
Copyright © Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
Copyright © Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
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