In a port-based access control setup, which device passes a supplicant's authentication data to the central authentication server?

In a port-based access control setup, which device passes a supplicant's authentication data to the central authentication server?

• A. Supplicant
• B. Authenticator
• C. RADIUS server
• D. Compute

Answer: (B)

In port-based access control, the authenticator acts as the gatekeeper at the edge of the network and is responsible for passing the user’s authentication data to the central authentication server. When a device (the supplicant) connects, it sends its credentials to the authenticator. The authenticator then forwards those credentials to the central server (often a RADIUS server) using the appropriate protocol. The server validates the credentials and replies with allow or deny, and the authenticator enforces access accordingly. The supplicant provides credentials to the authenticator, not directly to the central server, and the central server handles verification, not forwarding raw data to end devices.

In port-based access control, the authenticator acts as the gatekeeper at the edge of the network and is responsible for passing the user’s authentication data to the central authentication server. When a device (the supplicant) connects, it sends its credentials to the authenticator. The authenticator then forwards those credentials to the central server (often a RADIUS server) using the appropriate protocol. The server validates the credentials and replies with allow or deny, and the authenticator enforces access accordingly. The supplicant provides credentials to the authenticator, not directly to the central server, and the central server handles verification, not forwarding raw data to end devices.