EAP Method Update
charter-ietf-emu-04

The Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) [RFC 3748] is a network
access authentication framework used in the PPP, 802.11, 802.16, VPN,
PANA, and in some functions in 3G networks. EAP itself is a simple
protocol and actual authentication happens in EAP methods.

Over 40 different EAP methods exist. Most of these methods are
proprietary methods, but some are documented in informational RFCs. In
the past the lack of documented, open specifications has been a
deployment and interoperability problem. There are currently only two
EAP methods in the standards track that implement features such as key
derivation that are required for many modern applications.
Authentication types and credentials continue to evolve as do
requirements for EAP methods.

This group is chartered to work on the following types of mechanisms
to meet requirements relevant to EAP methods in RFC 3748, RFC 4017,
RFC 4962 and EAP Keying:

• A mechanism based on strong shared secrets. This mechanism should
  strive to be simple and compact for implementation in resource
  constrained environments.

• A document that defines EAP channel bindings and provides guidance
  for establishing EAP channel bindings within EAP methods.

• Enable TLS-based EAP methods to support channel bindings. This item
  will not generate a new method; rather, it will focus on adding
  support for EAP channel bindings to the tunneled method (described
  below), and if possible, other TLS-based EAP methods. Potential
  mechanisms for adding channel binding support will be investigated,
  including tunneling of channel binding parameters, or a TLS extension,
  or other standard TLS mechanism

• A mechanism to support extensible communication within a TLS
  protected tunnel. This mechanism will support meeting the requirements
  of an enhanced TLS mechanism, a password based authentication
  mechanism, and additional inner authentication mechanisms. It will
  also support channel bindings (as described above) in order to meet
  RFC 4962 requirements.

• A mechanism that makes use of existing password databases such as AAA
  databases. This item will be based on the above tunnel method.