Chapter 5. Demystifying 802.1x

802.1x is a public standard that defines port-based user authentication. 802.1x is also a mechanism for user identity and authentication over both wired and wireless network infrastructures. 802.1x is considered by many to be fairly complex, with several Extensible Authorization Protocol (EAP) types that define how authentication is implemented on the network. This chapter attempts to demystify 802.1x, provide an overview of Cisco Identity-Based Networking Services (IBNS) and machine authentication, and discuss how 802.1x can complement Network Admission Control (NAC). In this chapter, you also learn the basics of some of the most popular EAP types and how 802.1x can participate in an EzVPN network for telecommuting and remote branch offices.