User's Manual
11-11
Cisco IOS Software Configuration Guide for Cisco Aironet Access Points
OL-11350-01
Chapter 11 Configuring Authentication Types
 Configuring Authentication Types
Step 3
authentication open 
[mac-address list-name [alternate]]
[[optional] eap list-name]
(Optional) Set the authentication type to open for this SSID. 
Open authentication allows any device to authenticate and then 
attempt to communicate with the access point. 
• (Optional) Set the SSID’s authentication type to open with 
MAC address authentication. The access point forces all 
client devices to perform MAC-address authentication 
before they are allowed to join the network. For list-name, 
specify the authentication method list. Click this link for 
more information on method lists: 
http://www.cisco.com/univercd/cc/td/doc/product/softwar
e/ios122/122cgcr/fsecur_c/fsaaa/scfathen.htm#xtocid2
Use the alternate keyword to allow client devices to join 
the network using either MAC or EAP authentication; 
clients that successfully complete either authentication are 
allowed to join the network.
• (Optional) Set the SSID’s authentication type to open with 
EAP authentication. The access point forces all client 
devices to perform EAP authentication before they are 
allowed to join the network. For list-name, specify the 
authentication method list. 
Use the optional keyword to allow client devices using 
either open or EAP authentication to associate and become 
authenticated. This setting is used mainly by service 
providers that require special client accessibility.
Note An access point configured for EAP authentication 
forces all client devices that associate to perform EAP 
authentication. Client devices that do not use EAP 
cannot use the access point.
Step 4
authentication shared
[mac-address list-name]
[eap list-name]
(Optional) Set the authentication type for the SSID to shared 
key.
Note Because of shared key's security flaws, Cisco 
recommends that you avoid using it.
Note You can assign shared key authentication to only one 
SSID.
• (Optional) Set the SSID’s authentication type to shared 
key with MAC address authentication. For list-name, 
specify the authentication method list. 
• (Optional) Set the SSID’s authentication type to shared 
key with EAP authentication. For list-name, specify the 
authentication method list.
Command Purpose










