What is the primary function of the 802.1X protocol?

• A. Data encryption
• B. Network access control
• C. Signal transmission
• D. Wireless bridging

Answer: (B)

The primary function of the 802.1X protocol is network access control. This protocol is widely used in wired and wireless networks to provide port-based network access control, ensuring that only authorized users and devices can access the network. It achieves this by requiring devices to authenticate themselves before they are allowed to connect to the network resources.

When a device attempts to connect to a network using 802.1X, it must provide valid credentials, typically in the form of a username and password or digital certificates. The authentication occurs through an authentication server, which verifies the credentials. If the authentication is successful, the device is granted access; if not, it is denied access.

This capability is crucial for maintaining network security, as it helps prevent unauthorized access and potential attacks from rogue devices. The other options, while related to networking, do not capture the essence of what 802.1X is designed to do. Data encryption focuses on protecting data transmitted over a network, signal transmission pertains to the sending and receiving of signals without regard to access control, and wireless bridging refers to connecting two networks wirelessly, which is not the main function of 802.1X.