Interlogix NS3502-8P-2S User Manual - Manual (Page 234)

IFS NS3502-8P-2S User Manual
234
4.11.3 Network Access Server Configuration
This page allows you to configure the IEEE 802.1X and MAC-based authentication system and
port settings.
The IEEE 802.1X standard defines a port-based access control procedure that prevents
unauthorized access to a network by requiring users to first submit credentials for authentication.
One or more central servers, the backend servers, determine whether the user is allowed access
to the network. These backend (RADIUS) servers are configured on the
"Configuration
→Security→AAA" page. The IEEE802.1X standard defines port-based operation,
but non-standard variants overcome security limitations as shall be explored below.
MAC-based authentication allows for authentication of more than one user on the same port, and
doesn't require the user to have special 802.1X supplicant software installed on his system. The
switch uses the user's MAC address to authenticate against the backend server. Intruders can
create counterfeit MAC addresses, which makes MAC-based authentication less secure than
802.1 X authentications. The NAS configuration consists of two sections, a system- and a
port-wide. The Network Access Server Configuration screen in Figure 4-11-4 appears.