802.1X-related protocols

802.1X uses the Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) to transport authentication information for the client, the network access device, and the authentication server. EAP is an authentication framework that uses the client/server model. It supports a variety of authentication methods, including MD5-Challenge, EAP-Transport Layer Security (EAP-TLS), and Protected EAP (PEAP).

802.1X defines EAP over LAN (EAPOL) for passing EAP packets between the client and the network access device over a wired or wireless LAN. Between the network access device and the authentication server, 802.1X delivers authentication information in one of the following methods:

• Encapsulates EAP packets in RADIUS by using EAP over RADIUS (EAPOR), as described in "EAP relay."

• Extracts authentication information from the EAP packets and encapsulates the information in standard RADIUS packets, as described in "EAP termination."