This section lists some components and terms used with EAP-based security.
Supplicant—a device, such as a PC, that applies for access to the network.
Authenticator—software on a switch that authorizes or rejects a Supplicant attached to the other end of a LAN segment.
Port Access Entity (PAE)—software that controls each port on the device. The PAE, which resides on the switch, supports the Authenticator functionality.
Controlled Port—any port on the device with EAP enabled.
Authentication Server—a RADIUS server that provides AAA services to the authenticator.