200-301 Question 417
Select 3A network administrator is tasked with implementing access control policies for a company's network. The goal is to ensure that only authenticated and authorized devices can connect to the network and access specific resources. The administrator decides to use 802.1X for this purpose. Which of the following components are essential in an 802.1X-based access control solution?
- A
Supplicant
- B
Authenticator
- C
RADIUS Server
- D
802.11 Wireless Controller
- E
Access Layer Switch
Show answer and explanation
Correct answers: A, B, C
Explanation
802.1X is a port-based Network Access Control (NAC) mechanism that ensures only authenticated and authorized devices can access the network. It requires three main components: the supplicant (the device seeking access), the authenticator (the device controlling access, such as a switch or access point), and the authentication server (commonly a RADIUS server). While devices like wireless controllers or other switches may be part of the network, they are not essential components for the basic implementation of 802.1X.
- A. Correct.
A supplicant is the device or software that requests access to the network and is essential in an 802.1X-based solution.
- B. Correct.
An authenticator, such as a switch or wireless access point, acts as the intermediary between the supplicant and the authentication server, and is a key component of 802.1X.
- C. Correct.
A RADIUS server is typically used as the authentication server in an 802.1X-based solution, verifying the credentials of the supplicant.
- D. Incorrect.
An 802.11 Wireless Controller manages wireless access points but is not a necessary component of an 802.1X setup. It can integrate with 802.1X but is not required.
- E. Incorrect.
An access layer switch can be part of the network infrastructure but is not inherently a required component of 802.1X unless it functions as the authenticator.