802.1x FAQ
By Chris De Herrera, Copyright 2003
 Version 1.00  Revised 2/18/2003

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Introduction

Recently, I have been asked more and more about 802.1x (port based authentication) and how to use it with your Pocket PC.  This FAQ covers the current state of 802.1x as it relates to the Pocket PC and it's capabilities.

802.1x is a standard for authenticating users using EAP to connect via Wi-Fi to a network.  802.1x also uses digital certificates that are stored locally on the Pocket PC to identify and authenticate it.  The digital certificates are issues from a corporate server like a Windows 2000 server and Internet Authentication Server (IAS) from Microsoft.  Microsoft uses 802.1x to secure it's own Wi-Fi LAN at all their facilities.

 The Current State of 802.1x

Currently 802.1x drivers are just now arriving from selected vendors.  Here is a table of what is available:

In the future, I expect that all Wi-Fi vendors will have to offer 802.1x security to meet the needs of corporate customers.