Extensible Authentication Protocol over Lab (EAPOL) and 802.1x

EAPOL is used for access control in wired and wireless networks. It is defined as part of the IEEE 802.1x standard.

SonicWall devices that are configured for 802.1x or WPA2-Enterprise authentication will act in the EAPOL authenticator role. Acting in that role, the SonicWall device will tunnel EAPOL frames between an Authentication server (Typically a RADIUS server) and a supplicant (client) connected to the SonicWall device. Any protocol supported by the supplicant and authentication server (EAP-PEAP, EAP-MSCHAP, EAP-MSCHAPv2, EAP-TLS, EAP-TTLS, etc) can be used within the EAPOL Tunnel.   Customers using NAC solutions should consider the risks and benefits of the various EAP types and select one that provides adequate security for their environment.