Enterasys Networks 9034385 - Manual (Page 58)

Survey the Network
4-6 Design Planning
Similar to 802.1X, web‐based authentication requires the input of credentials and is normally used
on user‐centric end‐systems that have a concept of an associated user, such as a PC. Therefore, this
authentication method is inappropriate for machine‐centric devices such as printers and IP
cameras.
Note that web‐based authentication is a user‐initiated authentication method where the user must
manually begin the network login process by opening a web browser and entering credentials.
This user‐initiated method prevents seamless network connectivity because the end user must
initiate the reauthentication after assessment is complete.
Since Enterasys NAC only acts as a pass‐through to an upstream RADIUS Server, it is mandatory
that a full authentication deployment is configured on the network if web‐based authentication is
used.
MAC Authentication
MAC authentication authenticates the source MAC address of an end‐system and grants the
appropriate level of access by validating the MAC address on the RADIUS authentication server.
This authentication method only requires that the end‐system generate a packet; it requires no
special software on the end‐system.
Unlike 802.1X and web‐based authentication, MAC authentication can be used to authenticate
machine‐centric end‐systems that have no concept of an associated user, such as a printer or IP
camera.
With this authentication method, Enterasys NAC can act as a pass‐through to an upstream
RADIUS Server or can locally authorize MAC authentication attempts. Therefore, if a full
authentication deployment has not been configured on the network, MAC authentication should
be used.
End-System Capabilities
When authentication is configured on the network, it is important to consider end‐system
capabilities and their ability to interact with the authentication process. Machine‐centric end‐
systems that do not possess an 802.1X supplicant, such as IP cameras and printers, may only be
capable of MAC authenticating to the network. Some human‐centric end‐systems such as PCs,
may be capable of 802.1X and web‐based authentication while other PCs not installed with an
802.1X supplicant, are only capable of web‐based authentication. If end‐systems are implementing
802.1X and web‐based authentication, Enterasys NAC should leverage these authentication
methods for end‐system detection. For end‐systems not implementing 802.1X or web‐based
authentication, MAC‐based authentication can be enabled on these switch ports.
Support of Multiple Authentication Methods
In order to support an enterprise network consisting of a diverse environment of machine‐centric
and human‐centric devices, it is important that the intelligent edge of the network supports the
concurrent enabling of multiple authentication methods, all at the same time on the same switch
port. Some intelligent switches may not support the enabling of multiple authentication methods
concurrently on a single port. For example, MAC and 802.1X authentication may be concurrently
enabled on a port to account for the fact that a trusted user, guest user, or IP phone may connect to
this port. The ability to support multiple authentication methods concurrently on a port is even
more important for environments where mobility of devices around the network is essential for
ensuring business continuity.
Support for Multiple End-System Connection
It is important to know whether multiple end‐system connection is supported by the intelligent
edge of the network. If the intelligent edge devices only support the authentication of one end‐