Chapter 10
Configuring IEEE 802.1x Port-Based Authentication
802.1x User Distribution
You can configure 802.1x user distribution to load-balance users with the same group name across
multiple different VLANs.
The VLANs are either supplied by the RADIUS server or configured through the switch CLI under a
VLAN group name.
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Note
802.1x User Distribution Configuration Guidelines
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For more information, see the
IEEE 802.1x Authentication with Voice VLAN Ports
A voice VLAN port is a special access port associated with two VLAN identifiers:
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The IP phone uses the VVID for its voice traffic, regardless of the authorization state of the port. This
allows the phone to work independently of IEEE 802.1x authentication.
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Configure the RADIUS server to send more than one VLAN name for a user. The multiple VLAN
names can be sent as part of the response to the user. The 802.1x user distribution tracks all the users
in a particular VLAN and achieves load balancing by moving the authorized user to the least
populated VLAN.
Configure the RADIUS server to send a VLAN group name for a user. The VLAN group name can
be sent as part of the response to the user. You can search for the selected VLAN group name among
the VLAN group names that you configured by using the switch CLI. If the VLAN group name is
found, the corresponding VLANs under this VLAN group name are searched to find the least
populated VLAN. Load balancing is achieved by moving the corresponding authorized user to that
VLAN.
The RADIUS server can send the VLAN information in any combination of VLAN-IDs, VLAN
names, or VLAN groups.
Confirm that at least one VLAN is mapped to the VLAN group.
You can map more than one VLAN to a VLAN group.
You can modify the VLAN group by adding or deleting a VLAN.
When you clear an existing VLAN from the VLAN group name, none of the authenticated ports in
the VLAN are cleared, but the mappings are removed from the existing VLAN group.
If you clear the last VLAN from the VLAN group name, the VLAN group is cleared.
You can clear a VLAN group even when the active VLANs are mapped to the group. When you clear
a VLAN group, none of the ports or users that are in the authenticated state in any VLAN within the
group are cleared, but the VLAN mappings to the VLAN group are cleared.
VVID to carry voice traffic to and from the IP phone. The VVID is used to configure the IP phone
connected to the port.
PVID to carry the data traffic to and from the workstation connected to the switch through the IP
phone. The PVID is the native VLAN of the port.
"802.1x User Distribution" section on page
Catalyst 3750-E and 3560-E Switch Software Configuration Guide
Understanding IEEE 802.1x Port-Based Authentication
10-25.
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