Implementing 802.1X Security Solutions for Wired and Wireless Networks [Hardcover]

Jim Geier (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0470168609 | ISBN-13: 978-0470168608 | Publication Date: April 14, 2008 | Edition: 1

You know it?s essential, and you've heard that it can be tricky ? implementing the 802.1x standard. Here is a road map that will enable you to approach 802.1x implementation with confidence so that you can conduct successful implementation of 802.1x in both wired and wireless networks. Complete with step-by-step instructions, recommendations to help you choose the best solutions, and troubleshooting tips, it lets you benefit from the experience of others who have met the challenge.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Now you can approach 802.1x implementation with confidence

You know it's essential, and you've heard that it can be tricky — implementing the 802.1x standard. Here is a road map that will steer you safely around the pitfalls, smooth out the rough patches, and guide you to a successful implementation of 802.1x in both wired and wireless networks. Complete with step-by-step instructions, recommendations to help you choose the best solutions, and troubleshooting tips, it lets you benefit from the experience of others who have met the challenge.

• Get an overview of port-based authentication and network architecture concepts

• Examine EAPOL, RADIUS, and EAP-Methods protocols

• Understand 802.1x protocol packet structure and operation

• Explore and evaluate complete 802.1x-based security solutions for various needs

• Learn what parts are necessary to construct a complete network access-control system

• Configure your system and assure that all aspects of it work together

• Follow step-by-step instructions and screen shots to successfully set up 802.1x-based security solutions and make them work

About the Author

Jim Geier is the founder of Wireless-Nets, Ltd., and a 25-year expert on network-based systems. His experience includes analysis, design, software development, installation, and support for secure wireless networks in both public and private use. He has written several books, articles, and tutorials on wireless LANs and Wi-Fi.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 330 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (April 14, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0470168609
• ISBN-13: 978-0470168608
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 1 x 9.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #901,949 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Resource for CWSP Certification!, September 7, 2008

By 

Devin Akin "Devinator" (Bremen, GA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Implementing 802.1X Security Solutions for Wired and Wireless Networks (Hardcover)

I've always been a big fan of Jim Geier's books, but this one is the best one he's produced yet. It's excruciatingly detailed (which I think is great), yet provides thorough analogies to help the novice understand the concepts. The organization of the book is excellent. I highly recommend this book to anyone studying for the CWSP certification (www.cwnp.com).

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best single 802.1X book available, December 21, 2008

By 

Tom Carpenter "- www.sysedco.com" (Marysville, OH) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Implementing 802.1X Security Solutions for Wired and Wireless Networks (Hardcover)

There is no question in my mind that this is the best single book on 802.1X available today. The coverage is complete for any wired or wireless network implementation. This book is not only good for CWSP preparation, but it is also great for real-world security implementations. I've read a lot of Jim's books and have come to expect a lot from him. I must say, this book is his best yet.

The book begins with a short 30 page review of network architectures. This review makes for a nice refresher before diving into the 802.1X information. However, unlike many books that attempt to meet a publisher page count by reviewing information the reader should know for 40-50 percent of the book, Implementing 802.1X Security Solutions leaves the refreshers here in the first chapter and spends the remaining 8 chapters and Appendix truly covering the named topic of the book. In all, more than 200 pages are dedicated to the topics related to 802.1X security solutions.

The Appendix coverage of EAP is welcomed and provides enough information to understand its operations and how to select the best EAP solution for your implementation.

I would give this book 10 stars on a 10 star rating system. Most of the books that I give five stars, here at Amazon, would only get 9 stars on a 10 star system. Jim Geier has really outdone himself with this one.

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars One of a kind 802.1x Book., July 21, 2009

By 

Viken Derderian (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Implementing 802.1X Security Solutions for Wired and Wireless Networks (Hardcover)

As an information security expert and ISO certified auditor, I have contact with many system engineers, network architects and network administrators. Every single one of them either never heard of 802.1x or thinks it is so hard to implement that it is not worth the trouble.
In the summery of the book by Jim Geier, even the author states "802.1X port-based authentication is much more difficult to understand and implement than is commonly thought." and I agree with him that "This book, however, pulls together all of the pertinent standards and specifications, providing the concepts, methods, and tips you need to avoid common pitfalls, saving you a great deal of time and frustration."

Reading this book helps the network architect design or redesign a network that is not only one of most secured networks in town but as a plus it helps a medium to large networks do a self administration.
just imagine having all your ports on all your switches connected and available and yet only allow authorized and authenticated users or devices access to services based on credentials provided, and send the rest to null or treat them as guests and give them access to your web site only; Create dynamic VLANs drop users to it based on groups. Have a IP phone network that uses the same switches and yet has no access to company resources all of these are possible and Jim Geier does a good job explaining how.

This book is very well written with proper examples and case studies, and yet it is not a perfect 5 star worthy since it's missing few important and relevant pieces, for example, I was looking for more on certificates, not just the mere mention of them but the configuration distribution and perhaps integration with smart cards, I know you can get that from another book but why? it would be nice to also show how IP phones can be configured and a dynamic VLAN created; Also how none 802.1x devices can be connected to the switch and use company resources; The author should have also explained on how Trunk-ed, span-ed, secured and Dynamic access ports can not be configured as 802.1x; And is it possible to have a heterogeneous environment where both 802.1x and non port authentication designs can be implemented as a viable solution?

I am an advocate of the IEEE 802.1x standard, it reminds me of Cheers Theme "Where Everybody Knows Your Name" or else you have no access. And hence, I recommend this book, it will help you understand the standard, get you started implementing or migrating to a more secured network.

Best Fishes and thank you for reading.