CONTROLLED ACCESS SWITCH
A Controlled Access Switch (CAS) that can act as an 802.1x supplicant. The system implements server based software that uses SNMP and a database to insure that only secured non-802.1x capable devices are allowed access. The CAS allows an organization to use the CAS as a front end to non-802.1x capable devices such as printers and faxes and become the Supplicant in the 802.1x system. It then secures its ingress ports in coordination with the CAS Control Program running on a central site server.
1 . A method for providing access to a controlled access system comprising:
coupling a controlled access switch to a first device and to an authenticator;
coupling an authentication server to the authenticator;
using said controlled access switch to negotiate permission with the authenticator.
2 . The method of claim 1 wherein the first device is non-enabled for the controlled access system.
3 . The method of claim 2 wherein the controlled access switch communicates with the authentication server through the authenticator.
4 . The method of claim 3 wherein the controlled access switch communicates using SNMP.
5 . The method of claim 4 wherein the controlled access switch enables a port for the first device when the authentication server authorizes the device.
6 . The method of claim 5 wherein the authentication server includes software for communicating with the controlled access switch.
7 . The method of claim 6 wherein the authentication server includes a database of authorized devices.
8 . The method of claim 7 wherein the database includes MAC addresses of authorized devices.
9 . The method of claim 8 further wherein the method implements the EAP protocol.
10 . The method of claim 9 wherein the method implements the 802.1x protocol.