Auth-Fail VLAN

The 802.1X Auth-Fail VLAN on a port accommodates users who have failed 802.1X authentication because of the failure to comply with the organization security strategy. For example, the VLAN accommodates users who have entered a wrong password. Users in the Auth-Fail VLAN can access a limited set of network resources, such as a software server, to download antivirus software and system patches.

The Auth-Fail VLAN does not accommodate 802.1X users who have failed authentication for authentication timeouts or network connection problems.

The access device handles VLANs on an 802.1X-enabled port based on its 802.1X access control method.

On a port that performs port-based access control:

Authentication status	VLAN manipulation
A user fails 802.1X authentication.	The device assigns the Auth-Fail VLAN to the port as the PVID. All 802.1X users on this port can access only resources in the Auth-Fail VLAN.
A user in the 802.1X Auth-Fail VLAN fails 802.1X authentication because of any other reason except for unreachable servers.	The Auth-Fail VLAN is still the PVID on the port, and all 802.1X users on this port are in this VLAN.
A user passes 802.1X authentication.	The device assigns the authorization VLAN of the user to the port as the PVID, and it removes the port from the Auth-Fail VLAN. After the user logs off, the guest VLAN is assigned to the port as the PVID. If no guest VLAN is configured, the initial PVID of the port is restored. If the authentication server does not authorize a VLAN, the initial PVID of the port applies. The user and all subsequent 802.1X users are assigned to the initial PVID. After the user logs off, the PVID remains unchanged.

On a port that performs MAC-based access control:

Authentication status	VLAN manipulation
A user fails 802.1X authentication.	The device maps the MAC address of the user to the 802.1X Auth-Fail VLAN. The user can access only resources in the Auth-Fail VLAN.
A user in the 802.1X Auth-Fail VLAN fails 802.1X authentication because of any other reason except for unreachable servers.	The user is still in the Auth-Fail VLAN.
A user in the 802.1X Auth-Fail VLAN passes 802.1X authentication.	The device remaps the MAC address of the user to the authorization VLAN. If the authentication server does not authorize a VLAN, the device remaps the MAC address of the user to the initial PVID on the port.

Authentication status

VLAN manipulation

A user fails 802.1X authentication.

The device maps the MAC address of the user to the 802.1X Auth-Fail VLAN. The user can access only resources in the Auth-Fail VLAN.

A user in the 802.1X Auth-Fail VLAN fails 802.1X authentication because of any other reason except for unreachable servers.

The user is still in the Auth-Fail VLAN.

A user in the 802.1X Auth-Fail VLAN passes 802.1X authentication.

The device remaps the MAC address of the user to the authorization VLAN.

If the authentication server does not authorize a VLAN, the device remaps the MAC address of the user to the initial PVID on the port.

For the 802.1X Auth-Fail VLAN feature to take effect on a port that performs MAC-based access control, make sure the following requirements are met:

The port is a hybrid port.
MAC-based VLAN is enabled on the port.

The access device assigns a hybrid port to an 802.1X Auth-Fail VLAN as an untagged member.

For more information about VLAN configuration and MAC-based VLANs, see Layer 2—LAN Switching Configuration Guide. Support for the MAC-based VLAN feature depends on the device model.

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