An organization wants to implement network access control (NAC) to ensure only compliant endpoints connect to the production VLAN. Which 802.1X component authenticates the endpoint device?
Select an answer to reveal the explanation.
Short Explanation
Here's the deal — you need the RADIUS server because it acts as the Authentication Server, validating credentials and issuing access decisions. The managed switch only passes credentials, and the endpoint agent only presents them.
Full Explanation
The RADIUS server is correct because in 802.1X it acts as the Authentication Server that validates credentials and issues access decisions. The managed switch is wrong because it is the Authenticator that passes credentials but does not validate them. The endpoint agent is wrong because the Supplicant is the client component that presents credentials, not the component that authenticates. The certificate authority is wrong because it issues certificates but does not perform 802.1X authentication decisions.