www.BlackViper.com: Windows Vista Service Pack 2 Services 411 - Extensible Authentication Protocol

Extensible Authentication Protocol

Default Description:

The Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) service provides network authentication in such scenarios as 802.1x wired and wireless, VPN, and Network Access Protection (NAP). EAP also provides application programming interfaces (APIs) that are used by network access clients, including wireless and VPN clients, during the authentication process. If you disable this service, this computer is prevented from accessing networks that require EAP authentication.

Additional Information:

This service is required for Wireless Networks as well as the following group of services:

• CNG Key Isolation
• Extensible Authentication Protocol
• Wired AutoConfig
• WLAN AutoConfig

WLAN AutoConfig, if set to Manual, will not start automatically if you use a hardware switch (such as those on laptops to turn on and off the wireless network card). If you require wireless connectivity on your computer, keep the listed services above on the default values as well as place WLAN AutoConfig into Automatic. If you do not have a wireless card installed on the system, or do not require authentication on your wired network card, the group of services can safely be disabled.

Additional Reading:

• CNG: http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb204775(VS.85).aspx
• EAP: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extensible_Authentication_Protocol
• IEEE 802.11: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IEEE_802.11
• IEEE 802.1X Authentication: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/802.1x
• NAP: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/network/bb545879.aspx
• VPN: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_private_network

Discussion Topic Link:

Windows Vista Services Forum

Defaults Startup Type:

Default Vista Home Basic: Manual
Default Vista Home Premium: Manual
Default Vista Business: Manual
Default Vista Ultimate: Manual

Other Settings:

Safe Setting: Manual

Service Names:

Service Name (registry): EapHost

Display Name: Extensible Authentication Protocol

Default Path and Command Line Options:

C:\Windows\System32\svchost.exe -k netsvcs

Log On As:

Account: Local System account

Dependencies:

What service Extensible Authentication Protocol needs to function properly:

• CNG Key Isolation (HB, HP, B, U)
  • Remote Procedure Call (RPC) (HB, HP, B, U)
    • DCOM Server Process Launcher (HB, HP, B, U)
• Remote Procedure Call (RPC) (HB, HP, B, U)
  • DCOM Server Process Launcher (HB, HP, B, U)

What other service require Extensible Authentication Protocol to function properly:

• Wired AutoConfig (HB, HP, B, U)
• WLAN AutoConfig (HB, HP, B, U)