Overview

Local MAC Authentication (LMA) is a software feature that simplifies deployment for devices such as IP phones and security cameras. In general, it provides dynamic attribute assignment (e.g., VLAN and QoS) through the use of a locally configured authentication repository. The most common use model for LMA is to automatically assign a VLAN to IP phones. In some cases, it can also provide rudimentary access security for the network.

While there are other network technologies that can be used to deploy IP phones (MAC Authentication and IEEE 802.1X), deployment is complex. LMA however is relatively simple to deploy yet offers adequate security for most uses.

Additionally, LMA can be used in environments that deploy a mix of legacy and newer IP phones, even though in the past legacy IP phones did not support newer technologies such as LLDP-MED and IEEE 802.1X.