Guest VLAN
The 802.1X guest VLAN on a port accommodates users who have not performed 802.1X authentication. Users in the guest VLAN can access a limited set of network resources, such as a software server, to download antivirus software and system patches. Once a user in the guest VLAN passes 802.1X authentication, it is removed from the guest VLAN and can access authorized network resources.
The access device handles VLANs on an 802.1X-enabled port based on its 802.1X access control method.
On a port that performs port-based access control:
Authentication status
VLAN manipulation
A user has not passed 802.1X authentication.
The device assigns the 802.1X guest VLAN to the port as the PVID. All 802.1X users on this port can access only resources in the guest VLAN.
If no 802.1X guest VLAN is configured, the access device does not perform any VLAN operation.
A user in the 802.1X guest VLAN fails 802.1X authentication.
If an 802.1X Auth-Fail VLAN (see "Auth-Fail VLAN") is available, the device assigns the Auth-Fail VLAN to the port as the PVID. All users on this port can access only resources in the Auth-Fail VLAN.
If no Auth-Fail VLAN is configured, the PVID on the port is still the 802.1X guest VLAN. All users on the port are in the guest VLAN.
A user in the 802.1X guest VLAN passes 802.1X authentication.
The device assigns the authorization VLAN of the user to the port as the PVID, and it removes the port from the 802.1X guest VLAN. After the user logs off, the initial PVID of the port is restored.
If the authentication server does not authorize a VLAN, the initial PVID applies. The user and all subsequent 802.1X users are assigned to the initial port VLAN. After the user logs off, the port VLAN remains unchanged.
NOTE:
On a port that performs MAC-based access control:
Authentication status
VLAN manipulation
A user has not passed 802.1X authentication.
The device creates a mapping between the MAC address of the user and the 802.1X guest VLAN. The user can access only resources in the guest VLAN.
A user in the 802.1X guest VLAN fails 802.1X authentication.
If an 802.1X Auth-Fail VLAN is available, the device remaps the MAC address of the user to the Auth-Fail VLAN. The user can access only resources in the Auth-Fail VLAN.
If no 802.1X Auth-Fail VLAN is configured, the user is still in the 802.1X guest VLAN.
A user in the 802.1X guest VLAN passes 802.1X authentication.
The device remaps the MAC address of the user to the authorization VLAN.
If the authentication server does not authorize a VLAN, the device remaps the MAC address of the user to the initial PVID on the port.
For the 802.1X guest VLAN feature to take effect on a port that performs MAC-based access control, make sure the following requirements are met:
The port is a hybrid port.
MAC-based VLAN is enabled on the port.
The network device assigns a hybrid port to an 802.1X guest VLAN as an untagged member.
For more information about VLAN configuration and MAC-based VLANs, see Layer 2—LAN Switching Configuration Guide.