Users Guide

The following figures show how the EAP frames are encapsulated in Ethernet and RADIUS frames.
Figure 2. EAP Frames Encapsulated in Ethernet and RADUIS
Figure 3. EAP Frames Encapsulated in Ethernet and RADUIS
The authentication process involves three devices:
• The device attempting to access the network is the supplicant. The supplicant is not allowed to communicate on the
network until the authenticator authorizes the port. It can only communicate with the authenticator in response to 802.1X
requests.
• The device with which the supplicant communicates is the authenticator. The authenticator is the gate keeper of the
network. It translates and forwards requests and responses between the authentication server and the supplicant. The
authenticator also changes the status of the port based on the results of the authentication process. The Dell Networking
switch is the authenticator.
• The authentication-server selects the authentication method, verifies the information the supplicant provides, and grants it
network access privileges.
Ports can be in one of two states:
802.1X 83