Controlled access switch

Abstract

A Controlled Access Switch (CAS) that can act as an 802.1x supplicant. The system implements server based software that uses SNMP and a database to insure that only secured non-802.1x capable devices are allowed access. The CAS allows an organization to use the CAS as a front end to non-802.1x capable devices such as printers and faxes and become the Supplicant in the 802.1x system. It then secures its ingress ports in coordination with the CAS Control Program running on a central site server.

1 . A method for providing access to a controlled access system comprising: 
 coupling a controlled access switch to a first device and to an authenticator;    coupling an authentication server to the authenticator;    using said controlled access switch to negotiate permission with the authenticator.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first device is non-enabled for the controlled access system.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the controlled access switch communicates with the authentication server through the authenticator.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the controlled access switch communicates using SNMP.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the controlled access switch enables a port for the first device when the authentication server authorizes the device.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the authentication server includes software for communicating with the controlled access switch.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the authentication server includes a database of authorized devices.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the database includes MAC addresses of authorized devices.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8  further wherein the method implements the EAP protocol.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the method implements the 802.1x protocol.