Which standard defines port-based Network Access Control?

Which standard defines port-based Network Access Control?

• A. 802.11i
• B. 802.1X
• C. 802.3
• D. 802.16

Answer: (B)

Port-based Network Access Control is defined by IEEE 802.1X. This standard provides an authentication framework at the point where a device connects to the network, with the switch or wireless access point acting as the authenticator, the client as the supplicant, and an authentication server (often using RADIUS) on the back end. When a device first plugs in, the port is placed in a restricted state and only traffic used for authentication is allowed. The client presents credentials, which the authentication server validates via EAP methods, and once authentication succeeds, the port is opened for normal network access, usually after the switch applies a VLAN or ACL to enforce policy. This is distinct from 802.11i, which deals with wireless encryption and integrity (WPA2/WPA3), 802.3, which covers Ethernet standards themselves, and 802.16, which relates to the WiMAX wireless standard.

Port-based Network Access Control is defined by IEEE 802.1X. This standard provides an authentication framework at the point where a device connects to the network, with the switch or wireless access point acting as the authenticator, the client as the supplicant, and an authentication server (often using RADIUS) on the back end. When a device first plugs in, the port is placed in a restricted state and only traffic used for authentication is allowed. The client presents credentials, which the authentication server validates via EAP methods, and once authentication succeeds, the port is opened for normal network access, usually after the switch applies a VLAN or ACL to enforce policy.

This is distinct from 802.11i, which deals with wireless encryption and integrity (WPA2/WPA3), 802.3, which covers Ethernet standards themselves, and 802.16, which relates to the WiMAX wireless standard.