Frequently Asked Questions
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Q: What is IEEE 802.1x security mode?

A: IEEE 802.1x is the standard defining port-based authentication and infrastructure for doing key management. Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) messages sent over an IEEE 802.11 wireless network using a protocol called EAP Encapsulation Over LANs (EAPOL). IEEE 802.1x provides dynamically-generated keys that are periodically refreshed. An RC4 stream cipher is used to encrypt the frame body and cyclic redundancy checking (CRC) of each 802.11 frame.

This mode requires the use of a RADIUS server to authenticate users, and configuration of user accounts via the Cluster > Users tab in the Gateway 7001 Series Access Point web interface.

The access point requires a RADIUS server capable of EAP, such as the Microsoft Internet Authentication Server or the Gateway 7001 Series Access Point internal authentication server. To work with Windows clients, the authentication server must support Protected EAP (PEAP) and MSCHAP V2.

If you use your own RADIUS server, you have the option of using any of a variety of authentication methods that the IEEE 802.1x mode supports, including certificates, Kerberos, and public key authentication. Keep in mind, however, that the client stations must be configured to use the same authentication method being used by the access point.