MAC authentication

Note:

MAC authentication is only supported on 7210 SAS-Mxp, 7210 SAS-R6, 7210 SAS-Sx/S 1/10GE (standalone), and 7210 SAS-T.

The 7210 SAS supports the 802.1x EAP standard for authenticating Ethernet devices before they can access the network. However, if a client device does not support 802.1x EAP, MAC authentication can be used to prevent unauthorized traffic from being transmitted through the 7210 SAS.

Because MAC authentication is a fallback mechanism, the user must first enable 802.1x EAP to use MAC authentication on the 7210 SAS. To authenticate a port using MAC authentication, first configure 802.1x authentication on the 7210 SAS by enabling port-control auto, and then configure mac-auth on the 7210 SAS to enable MAC authentication.

Layer 2 control protocols affect MAC authentication behavior differently depending on the protocol in use; see Layer 2 control protocol interaction with authentication methods for more information.