System and method for identity based authentication in a distributed virtual switch network environment

摘要

An example method includes forwarding user credentials from a virtual machine in a distributed virtual switch (DVS) network environment to a network element outside the DVS network environment, receiving a user policy from the AAA server, and facilitating enforcement of the user policy within the DVS network environment. The user credentials may relate to a user attempting to access the VM. In a specific embodiment, the user credentials are provided in a 802.1X packet. In a particular embodiment, a network access control (NAC) in the DVS network environment forwards the user credentials, receives the user policy, and facilitates the enforcement of the user policy. In one embodiment, the NAC is provisioned as another VM in the DVS network environment.