Final answer:
The three components of 802.1X authentication are the Supplicant, Authenticator and Authentication Server, which work together to secure network access.
Step-by-step explanation:
The three components of 802.1X authentication are:
Supplicant: An entity that wishes to be authenticated, typically a client device like a laptop or smartphone.
- Authenticator: A network device, such as a switch or wireless access point, that acts as a gatekeeper to the network resources.
- Authentication Server: Usually a Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service (RADIUS) server that checks the supplicant's credentials and instructs the authenticator to block or allow access to the network.
This process ensures that only authorized devices can access network resources, enhancing security. 802.1X authentication is an important aspect of network administration and understanding these components is key to its effective implementation.