How to Set Up an 802.1x Network and Connect to It with a CEPC
802.1x authentication provides authenticated access to 802.11 wireless networks and to wired Ethernet networks. 802.1x minimizes wireless network security risks by providing user and computer identification, centralized authentication, and encryption services based on the Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) algorithm. 802.1x supports the Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP). With EAP, you can use different authentication methods, such as smart cards, and certificates. For more information about 802.1x and wireless technology, visit this Microsoft Web site for a list of links to related technical articles.
Note To successfully complete the steps in the following procedure, you must have extensive knowledge of Windows server administration and networking.
Microsoft used Microsoft Windows 2000 Server for testing purposes. Most of the following steps refer to Windows 2000 Server-related procedures. To obtain additional information about any of these steps, see Windows 2000 Server Help.
To obtain additional information about Windows 2000 Server, visit this Microsoft Web site.
If you use a different server operating system (OS) to set up your 802.1x network, refer to the product-specific documentation.
Microsoft used Cisco** access points for the test scenarios. The access point-related procedures refer to Cisco-based hardware and software. To obtain more information about Cisco products, visit this Microsoft Web site, select the Find a Partner option, and then search for Cisco.
If you use a different access point to set up your 802.1x network, refer to the product-specific documentation.
Hardware and Software Requirements
This document makes the following assumptions:
- Your Platform Builder installation includes CEPC x86 and Emulator x86 board support packages.
- You have a CEPC already configured. For more information, see How to set up a CEPC and How to Use the IDE to Create, Customize, and Build a Platform.
If you encounter problems with any of the steps, refer to the Troubleshooting: Setting Up an 802.1x Network.
To track your progress in the following table, select the check box next to each step.
| Step | Topic | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Familiarize yourself with the requirements for how to set up the 802.1x networking infrastructure, and connect the different devices on your wireless network using the network topology. | 802.1x Test Lab Requirements | |
| 2. Create a parent domain. | Creating a Domain | |
| 3. Configure Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) Server/Domain Name System (DNS) and Windows Internet Name Service (WINS). | Configuring the DHCP Server | |
| 4. Configure Microsoft Active Directory for users and groups. | Configuring Active Directory | |
| 5. Familiarize yourself with certificate infrastructure. | Certificate Infrastructure for a Wireless Network | |
| 6. Install certificate services. | Installing and Configuring Certificate Services | |
| 7. Configure certificate server templates. | Configuring Certificate Server Templates | |
| 8. Create the Information Access Service (IAS) clients. | Creating IAS Clients | |
| 9. Create remote access policies. | Configuring Remote Access Policies | |
| 10. Configure a wireless access point. | Configuring Wireless Access Points | |
| 11. Create a wireless configuration and download it to your CEPC. | Creating a Wireless Configuration for a CEPC | |
| 12. Install wireless certificates on your CEPC. | Enrolling the CEPC for a Certificate | |
| 13. Test wireless connectivity on your CEPC.
Choose a topic based on the aspect of wireless connectivity you want to test. For more information, see Testing Wireless Connectivity. |
Testing Wireless Connectivity in an Open Wireless Network
Testing Wireless Connectivity Using WEP Authentication |
**The non-Microsoft software and hardware referenced in this document are included for illustrative purposes only. Illustrations that use such third party software and hardware as examples are not intended to be an endorsement or recommendation of any of these products. We provide this information only as a convenience for our customers for purposes of explaining a practical application and do not provide warranties of any kind, whether express, implied or statutory, including but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose.
See Also
Communications and Security How-to Topics
Last updated on Wednesday, April 13, 2005
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