Authenticating Linux clients
 
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For network administrators who manage Linux clients and who would like better user authentication technology, a new free tool from Meetinghouse Data Communications could prove useful.
Meetinghouse's 802.1X Secure Supplicant package is software that can be used on a networked Linux client in order to authenticate to a LAN where the new 802.1X port authentication protocol is supported.
The 802.1X standard was developed by the IEEE as a way to enforce LAN access at the network connection level. As opposed to authenticating to a network server, where some network access is still possible even after a failed login, 802.1X lets a LAN administrator cut off all network access to unauthorized users.
The Meetinghouse software would be installed on a Linux PC, allowing the machine to authenticate to a network with an 802.1X server, network equipment that supports 802.1X, and a Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service (RADIUS) server.
Wireless LANs with Linux clients also could benefit from the software, as 802.1X is increasingly being used to secure 802.11b wireless network connections. Securing a wireless LAN with 802.1X could keep unauthorized, roaming wireless laptop users from tapping into a network by forcing their machines to authenticate directly to a wireless access point to gain network access.
The 802.1X software requires a Linux kernel of 2.4.2-2 or later. The software has been tested with RedHat 6.2, RedHat 7.1, and Mandrake 8.0.
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Phil Hochmuth is a Network World Senior Writer and a former systems integrator. You can reach him at phochmut@nww.com.
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