Configuring the RADIUS VSAs

Only RADIUS-authenticated port-access clients are able to dynamically change the port access settings using the new proprietary RADIUS VSAs. The settings that can be overridden are:

  • Client limit (address limit with mac-based port access)

  • Disabling the port-access types

  • Setting the port mode in which 802.1X is operating

If the VSA client limit decreases the switch configured client limit, all clients except the client that is overriding the settings is deauthenticated. Only one client session at a time can override the port-access settings on a port. When the client session is deauthenticated, the port resets itself to the configured settings. This port reset causes the deauthentication of all clients for the port-access authentication types that had their settings changed dynamically.

The new VSAs are:
  • HP-Port-Client-Limit-Dot1x

    This VSA temporarily alters the 802.1X authentication client limit to the value contained in the VSA. Values range from 0 to 32 clients. A zero client limit means this VSA is disabled. This is an proprietary VSA with a value of 10.

  • HP-Port-Client-Limit-MA

    This VSA temporarily alters the MAC authentication client limit to the value contained in the VSA. Values range from 0 to 256 clients. A zero client limit means this VSA is disabled. This is an proprietary VSA with a value of 11.

  • HP-Port-Client-Limit-WA

    This VSA temporarily alters the web-based authentication client limit to the value contained in the VSA. Values range from 0 to 256 clients. A zero client limit means this VSA is disabled. This is an proprietary VSA with a value of 12.

  • HP-Port-Auth-Mode-Dot1x

    This VSA temporarily alters the 802.1X authentication mode to be either port-based or user-based depending on the value in the VSA. A port-based VSA is set with a value of 1; a user-based VSA is set with a value of 2. This is an proprietary VSA with a value of 13.

If an 802.1X port is operating in port-based mode, it is invalid to set the 802.1X client limit using the HP-Port-Client-Limit VSA.

NOTE:

The changing of the client limits for a port using VSAs is temporary. The running configuration file is not changed and still displays the client limit and address limit settings.

Each authentication type may have a unique value for the client limit. If the value of the VSA is zero, the authentication type corresponding to that VSA is disabled.

Settings for these VSAs are in effect for the duration of the authenticated session of the downstream supplicant switch. If for any reason there is a loss of the session (link loss between authenticator switch and supplicant switch, or authentication failure during reauthentication), the originally configured 802.1X and MAC authentication limits are restored.