Protected Extensible Authentication Protocol (PEAP)

Protected Extensible Authentication Protocol (PEAP) is an authentication protocol used in wireless networks to provide a secure and encrypted method for user authentication. It is an extension of the Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) and is widely used in enterprise environments to enhance the security of Wi-Fi networks.

The PEAP authentication process typically involves the following steps:

1. Server Authentication: The client device initiates the authentication process with the access point. The access point responds with its digital certificate to prove its identity.
2. TLS Tunnel Setup: The client and access point establish a TLS tunnel using the access point's digital certificate.
3. Inner Authentication: Within the secure TLS tunnel, the client device and the authentication server (e.g., RADIUS server) perform the inner authentication process. This step can involve various EAP methods, such as EAP-MSCHAPv2, which allows for secure username and password exchange.
4. Success/Failure: The authentication server sends an EAP Success message if the inner authentication is successful, or an EAP Failure message if the authentication fails.

PEAP provides strong security by encrypting the inner authentication process, making it an excellent choice for protecting user credentials in enterprise Wi-Fi networks.