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Applies to all editions of Windows Vista.

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Enable 802.1X authentication

802.1X authentication can help enhance security for 802.11 wireless networks and wired Ethernet networks by requiring a certificate or a smart card for network access. This type of authentication is typically used for workplace connections.

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To enable 802.1X on a wireless network

  1. Open Manage Wireless Networks by clicking the Start button Picture of the Start button, clicking Control Panel, clicking Network and Internet, clicking Network and Sharing Center, and then, in the left pane, clicking Manage wireless networks.

  2. Right-click the network that you want to enable 802.1X authentication for, and then click Properties.

  3. Click the Security tab, and then, in the Security Type list, click 802.1X.

  4. In the Encryption Type list, click the encryption type you want to use.

    On wireless networks, 802.1X can be used with Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) or Wi‑Fi Protected Access (WPA) encryption.

  5. In the Choose a network authentication method list, click the method you want to use.

    To configure additional settings, click Settings.

To enable 802.1X on a wired network

You must be logged on as an administrator to perform these steps.

To complete this procedure, you must first enable the Wired AutoConfig service, which is turned off by default.

  1. Click the Start button Picture of the Start button, and then, in the Search box, type services.msc, and then press ENTER. Administrator permission required If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

  2. In the Services dialog box, click the Standard tab, right-click Wired AutoConfig, and then click Start.

  3. Open Network Connections by clicking the Start button Picture of the Start button, clicking Control Panel, clicking Network and Internet, clicking Network and Sharing Center, and then clicking Manage network connections.

  4. Right-click the connection that you want to enable 802.1X authentication for, and then click Properties. Administrator permission required If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

  5. Click the Authentication tab, and then select the Enable IEEE 802.1X authentication check box.

  6. In the Choose a network authentication method list, click the method you want to use.

    To configure additional settings, click Settings.

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