The steps to 802.1x authentication

1. Wireless client sends authentication request to either wireless access point or 802.1x-enabled switch. We recommend updating your NDIS drivers to make this happen properly.

2. Wireless access point or 802.1x-enabled switch repackages authentication request to send on to RADIUS server. Make sure your RADIUS server is compatible with EAP and 802.1x standards.

3. RADIUS server examines request and may proxy the request to another server or consult an authentication database directly. Consult our online chart outlining which RADIUS servers support which authentication methods and back-end databases.

4. If access is authenticated, RADIUS server informs wireless access point or 802.1x-enabled switch.

5. Wireless access point or 802.1x-enabled switch informs client of access. We recommend checking that WEP has been activated at this point, because not all clients synchronize properly.

Return to "Down and dirty with Wireless LAN security"

What is 802.1x?
Understanding what the IEEE 802.1x standard is and why you should care means understanding three separate concepts: PPP, EAP and 802.1x itself. Network World Fusion, 05/06/02.