<chapter id="ch1">
<title>About Open1x And This Guide</title>

<section>
<title>General Overview</title>
<para>
This work funded by a grant from National Institute of Standards and
Technology Critical Infrastructure Grants Program.
</para>

<para>
This software allows a GNU/Linux or BSD workstation to authenticate with
a RADIUS server using 802.1X and various EAP protocols.  The intended 
use is for computers with wireless LAN connections to complete a strong
authentication before joining the network.
</para>

<para>
Note: BSD support is not yet complete.
</para>

<para>
This provides a good complement to WEP, which provides confidentiality.
Even though it is well documented that WEP has technical flaws, it is still
better than simply sending data in the clear.  Therefore, we recommend using
this software (802.1x) for authentication *and* WEP for confidentiality.
And, as always, be prepared to update your network(s) as better security
solutions become available.
</para>

<para>
Note: At this time Xsupplicant can be used in conjunction with wpa_supplicant 
to provide WPA keying, but does not currently provide its own WPA hooks.  
</para>

</section>

<section>
<title>Do I Need Open1x?</title>
<para>
The short answer is that if you need to authenticate to an 802.1X-enabled
network using Linux, then Open1x is probably for you.  The Open1x project 
provides 802.1X functionality for the Linux operating system.  802.1X is an 
IEEE standard (ratified in 2001) that provides port-based authentication 
at layer 2 of the OSI model.  802.1X prevents unauthorized network access
until appropriate credentials are supplied to access the network.  
The Open1x project provides the necessary software to connect to an 
802.1X-enabled network.
</para>
</section>

<section>
<title>Supplicant versus Authenticator</title>
<para>
The Open1x project contains source code for both the "Supplicant" 
and "Authenticator" pieces of the 802.1X standard.  This document will 
only focus on the Open1x Supplicant (xsupplicant), as the Authenticator 
isn't being actively worked on at this point in time.
</para>
</section>

<section>
<title>Purpose Of This Guide</title>
<para>
This guide is aimed towards both the general user, and the 
system administrator with the intent of explaining how to install 
and configure xsupplicant.
</para>
</section>

</chapter>
