FAQ - IEEE 802.1X & LLDP MED

From Software 2.70.0 we have added IEEE 802.1X & LLDP MED.  

IEEE 802.1X is an IEEE Standard for port-based network access control. It is part of the IEEE 802.1 group of networking protocols. It provides an authentication mechanism to devices wishing to attach to a LAN. 

802.1X authentication involves three parties:

1. supplicant
2. authenticator
3. authentication server.

The supplicant is a client device (such as a DECT device) that wishes to attach to the LAN. The term 'supplicant' is also used interchangeably to refer to the software running on the client that provides credentials to the authenticator.

The authenticator is a network device that provides a data link between the client and the network and can allow or block network traffic between the two, such as an Ethernet switch or wireless access point; and the authentication server is typically a trusted server that can receive and respond to requests for network access, and can tell the authenticator if the connection is to be allowed, and various settings that should apply to that client's connection or setting. Authentication servers typically run software supporting the RADIUS and EAP protocols. In some cases, the authentication server software may be running on the authenticator hardware.

LLDP-MED (Link Layer Discovery Protocol – Media Endpoint Discovery) is an extension to LLDP (IEEE 802.1AB) designed for VoIP phones and other media endpoint devices. It enables endpoints and network switches to automatically exchange information such as network policies, VLAN assignment, Quality of Service (QoS) settings, power requirements (PoE), and device location. This simplifies deployment, ensures consistent network configuration, and helps optimize voice and real-time communication performance.