802.1X
In this era of ever-increasing mobility in wired and wireless scenarios, we can no longer always assume a user's access to a Layer 2 network will be via the same physical port of entry. This mobility has created a need to identify who is attempting to gain access to a given port. The 802.1X standard provides such a solution.
802.1X defines Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) over LANs (EAPOL).The standard encapsulates and leverages much of EAP, which was defined for dial-up authentication with Point-to-Point Protocol in RFC 2284.
Beyond encapsulating EAP packets, the 802.1X standard also defines EAPOL messages that convey the shared key information critical for wireless security.
From 802.1X provides user authentication, Network World Tech Update, 03/25/02.
Additional resources
Authentication and Authorization: The Big Picture with IEEE 802.1X
Overview from SANS.
Down and dirty with Wireless LAN security
iLabs team puts 802.1x standard to the interoperability test and brings deployment issues to light. Network World, 05/06/02.
Wireless/mobile research center
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