Overview

MAC authentication controls network access by authenticating source MAC addresses on a port. The feature does not require client software, and users do not have to enter a username and password for network access. The device initiates a MAC authentication process when it detects an unknown source MAC address on a MAC authentication-enabled port. If the MAC address passes authentication, the user can access authorized network resources. If the authentication fails, the device marks the MAC address as a silent MAC address, drops the packet, and starts a quiet timer. The device drops all subsequent packets from the MAC address within the quiet time. The quiet mechanism avoids repeated authentication during a short time.

	NOTE: If the MAC address that has failed authentication is a static MAC address or a MAC address that has passed any security authentication, the device does not mark the MAC address as a silent address.