8021XIdentität

8021XIdentität, also known as EAP-Identity, is a crucial component of the IEEE 802.1X network access control standard. It refers to the unique identifier used by a user, device, or service to authenticate itself to the network. When a client attempts to connect to an 802.1X-enabled network, it sends its EAP-Identity to the authenticator (typically a switch or wireless access point). The authenticator then forwards this identity to the authentication server (usually a RADIUS server) for verification.

The EAP-Identity is often derived from user credentials, such as a username or an email address. However, it can also be a device-specific identifier, like a MAC address or a certificate serial number, depending on the chosen authentication method. The primary purpose of the EAP-Identity is to enable the network to distinguish between different entities requesting access and to associate specific policies or privileges with each authenticated identity.

The confidentiality of the EAP-Identity is important, as it is transmitted unencrypted before the secure tunnel is established. Therefore, it is often recommended to use EAP methods that protect the EAP-Identity or to use pseudonyms rather than directly exposing sensitive information. Proper configuration of 802.1XIdentität is essential for secure and efficient network access management, preventing unauthorized access and ensuring that only legitimate users and devices can connect to the network resources.