Brocade FastIron Ethernet Switch Security Configuration Guide - Manual (Page 174)

FIGURE 4 Message exchange between client/supplicant, authenticator, and authentication server
In this example, the Authenticator (the FastIron switch) initiates communication with an 802.1X-
enabled Client. When the Client responds, it is prompted for a username (255 characters maximum)
and password. The Authenticator passes this information to the Authentication Server, which
determines whether the Client can access services provided by the Authenticator. When the Client is
successfully authenticated by the RADIUS server, the port is authorized. When the Client logs off, the
port becomes unauthorized again.
The Brocade 802.1X implementation supports dynamic VLAN assignment. If one of the attributes in
the Access-Accept message sent by the RADIUS server specifies a VLAN identifier, and this VLAN is
available on the Brocade device, the client port is moved from its default VLAN to the specified VLAN.
When the client disconnects from the network, the port is placed back in its default VLAN.Refer to
Dynamic VLAN assignment for 802.1X port configuration on page 184 for more information.
If a Client does not support 802.1X, authentication cannot take place. The Brocade device sends EAP-
Request/Identity frames to the Client, but the Client does not respond to them.
When a Client that supports 802.1X attempts to gain access through a non-802.1X-enabled port, it
sends an EAP start frame to the Brocade device. When the device does not respond, the Client
considers the port to be authorized, and starts sending normal traffic.
Brocade devices support Identity and MD5-challenge requests in EAP Request/Response messages
as well as the following 802.1X authentication challenge types:
NOTE
Refer to also
EAP pass-through support on page 176.
• EAP-TLS (RFC 2716) - EAP Transport Level Security (TLS) provides strong security by requiring
both client and authentication server to be identified and validated through the use of public key
infrastructure (PKI) digital certificates. EAP-TLS establishes a tunnel between the client and the
802.1X Port Security
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