Which device activates EAPoL and forwards the supplicant's authentication data to an authenticating server such as a RADIUS server?

Which device activates EAPoL and forwards the supplicant's authentication data to an authenticating server such as a RADIUS server?

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

Answer: (D)

In network access control using 802.1X, there are three roles: the supplicant (the client requesting access), the authenticator (the network device that enforces access and runs the EAPOL dialogue), and the authentication server (often a RADIUS server) that makes the final decision. The supplicant initiates communication by sending EAPOL frames to the authenticator. The authenticator then forwards these EAPOL messages, carrying the supplicant’s credentials, to the authentication server for verification. Based on the server’s response, the authenticator either allows traffic from the supplicant to pass or blocks it. So, the device that activates EAPOL and forwards the supplicant’s authentication data to the server is the authenticator.

In network access control using 802.1X, there are three roles: the supplicant (the client requesting access), the authenticator (the network device that enforces access and runs the EAPOL dialogue), and the authentication server (often a RADIUS server) that makes the final decision. The supplicant initiates communication by sending EAPOL frames to the authenticator. The authenticator then forwards these EAPOL messages, carrying the supplicant’s credentials, to the authentication server for verification. Based on the server’s response, the authenticator either allows traffic from the supplicant to pass or blocks it. So, the device that activates EAPOL and forwards the supplicant’s authentication data to the server is the authenticator.