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This document describes OWE transition flow and how it works on the Catalyst 9800 Wireless LAN Controller (WLC).
Cisco recommends that you have knowledge of these topics:
The information in this document is based on these software and hardware versions:
The information in this document was created from the devices in a specific lab environment. All of the devices used in this document started with a cleared (default) configuration. If your network is live, ensure that you understand the potential impact of any command.
Image-1 : Beacon Frame of OPEN SSID
Image-2 : Hidden SSID - OWE Transition
Image-3 : Probe Request
Image-4 : Probe Response
Image-5 : OPEN Authentication after successful Probe
Image-6 : Association Request
2025/01/21 15:21:57.391071821 {wncd_x_R0-0}{1}: [client-orch-sm] [21675]: (note): MAC: ee13.e8a8.cd5b Association received. BSSID 40ce.24dd.2e8f, WLAN OWE-Transition, Slot 1 AP 40ce.24dd.2e80, APA023.9F66.1B3C, Site tag default-site-tag, Policy tag default-policy-tag, Policy profile OWE-Policy, Switching Central, Socket delay 0ms
2025/01/21 15:21:57.391117645 {wncd_x_R0-0}{1}: [client-orch-sm] [21675]: (debug): MAC: ee13.e8a8.cd5b Received Dot11 association request. Processing started,SSID: OWE-Transition, Policy profile: OWE-Policy, AP Name: APA023.9F66.1B3C, Ap Mac Address: 40ce.24dd.2e80BSSID MAC0000.0000.0000wlan ID: 36RSSI: -42, SNR: 49
Image-7 : Association Response
2025/01/21 15:21:57.391334260 {wncd_x_R0-0}{1}: [client-orch-state] [21675]: (note): MAC: ee13.e8a8.cd5b Client state transition: S_CO_INIT -> S_CO_ASSOCIATING
2025/01/21 15:21:57.392296819 {wncd_x_R0-0}{1}: [dot11] [21675]: (note): MAC: ee13.e8a8.cd5b Association success. AID 1, Roaming = False, WGB = False, 11r = False, 11w = True Fast roam = False
4-way handshake can happen between AP and client device.
Key-1 send by AP
Key-2 send by client
Key-3 send by AP
Key-4 send by client
Image-8 : 4-Way Handshake
2025/01/21 15:21:57.392538716 {wncd_x_R0-0}{1}: [client-orch-sm] [21675]: (debug): MAC: ee13.e8a8.cd5b Starting L2 authentication. Bssid in state machine:40ce.24dd.2e8f Bssid in request is:40ce.24dd.2e8f
2025/01/21 15:21:57.392557538 {wncd_x_R0-0}{1}: [client-orch-state] [21675]: (note): MAC: ee13.e8a8.cd5b Client state transition: S_CO_ASSOCIATING -> S_CO_L2_AUTH_IN_PROGRESS
2025/01/21 15:21:57.392640494 {wncd_x_R0-0}{1}: [client-auth] [21675]: (note): MAC: ee13.e8a8.cd5b L2 Authentication initiated. method PSK, Policy VLAN 1417, AAA override = 0, NAC = 0
2025/01/21 15:21:57.394830551 {wncd_x_R0-0}{1}: [client-auth] [21675]: (info): MAC: ee13.e8a8.cd5b Client auth-interface state transition: S_AUTHIF_AWAIT_PSK_AUTH_START_RESP -> S_AUTHIF_PSK_AUTH_PENDING
2025/01/21 15:21:57.395171903 {wncd_x_R0-0}{1}: [client-auth] [21675]: (info): MAC: ee13.e8a8.cd5b Client auth-interface state transition: S_AUTHIF_PSK_AUTH_PENDING -> S_AUTHIF_ADD_MOBILE_ACK_WAIT_KM
2025/01/21 15:21:57.420590731 {wncd_x_R0-0}{1}: [client-auth] [21675]: (info): MAC: ee13.e8a8.cd5b Client auth-interface state transition: S_AUTHIF_ADD_MOBILE_ACK_WAIT_KM -> S_AUTHIF_PSK_AUTH_KEY_XCHNG_PENDING
2025/01/21 15:21:57.420706435 {wncd_x_R0-0}{1}: [client-keymgmt] [21675]: (info): MAC: ee13.e8a8.cd5b EAP key M1 Sent successfully
2025/01/21 15:21:57.420775720 {wncd_x_R0-0}{1}: [client-keymgmt] [21675]: (info): MAC: ee13.e8a8.cd5b Client key-mgmt state transition: S_INITPMK -> S_PTK_START
2025/01/21 15:21:57.426548998 {wncd_x_R0-0}{1}: [client-keymgmt] [21675]: (info): MAC: ee13.e8a8.cd5b M2 Status: EAP key M2 validation success
2025/01/21 15:21:57.426725965 {wncd_x_R0-0}{1}: [client-keymgmt] [21675]: (info): MAC: ee13.e8a8.cd5b EAP key M3 Sent successfully
2025/01/21 15:21:57.426727805 {wncd_x_R0-0}{1}: [client-keymgmt] [21675]: (info): MAC: ee13.e8a8.cd5b Client key-mgmt state transition: S_PTK_START -> S_PTKINITNEGOTIATING
2025/01/21 15:21:57.434078994 {wncd_x_R0-0}{1}: [client-keymgmt] [21675]: (info): MAC: ee13.e8a8.cd5b M4 Status: EAP key M4 validation is successful
2025/01/21 15:21:57.434099154 {wncd_x_R0-0}{1}: [client-keymgmt] [21675]: (note): MAC: ee13.e8a8.cd5b EAP Key management successful. AKM:OWE Cipher:CCMP WPA Version: WPA3
2025/01/21 15:21:57.434111288 {wncd_x_R0-0}{1}: [client-keymgmt] [21675]: (info): MAC: ee13.e8a8.cd5b Client key-mgmt state transition: S_PTKINITNEGOTIATING -> S_PTKINITDONE
2025/01/21 15:21:57.434250308 {wncd_x_R0-0}{1}: [client-auth] [21675]: (note): MAC: ee13.e8a8.cd5b L2 PSK Authentication Success. EAP type: NA, Resolved VLAN: 1417, Audit Session id: 0000000000001BBA88469FD1
2025/01/21 15:21:57.434286035 {wncd_x_R0-0}{1}: [client-auth] [21675]: (info): MAC: ee13.e8a8.cd5b Client auth-interface state transition: S_AUTHIF_PSK_AUTH_KEY_XCHNG_PENDING -> S_AUTHIF_PSK_AUTH_DONE
2025/01/21 15:21:57.434308953 {wncd_x_R0-0}{1}: [client-orch-sm] [21675]: (debug): MAC: ee13.e8a8.cd5b L2 Authentication of station is successful., L3 Authentication : 0
2025/01/21 15:21:57.434789679 {wncd_x_R0-0}{1}: [client-orch-sm] [21675]: (note): MAC: ee13.e8a8.cd5b Mobility discovery triggered. Client mode: Local
2025/01/21 15:21:57.436611026 {wncd_x_R0-0}{1}: [client-orch-state] [21675]: (note): MAC: ee13.e8a8.cd5b Client state transition: S_CO_MOBILITY_DISCOVERY_IN_PROGRESS -> S_CO_DPATH_PLUMB_IN_PROGRESS
2025/01/21 15:21:57.437239513 {wncd_x_R0-0}{1}: [client-orch-state] [21675]: (note): MAC: ee13.e8a8.cd5b Client state transition: S_CO_DPATH_PLUMB_IN_PROGRESS -> S_CO_IP_LEARN_IN_PROGRESS
2025/01/21 15:21:57.437508189 {wncd_x_R0-0}{1}: [client-iplearn] [21675]: (info): MAC: ee13.e8a8.cd5b IP-learn state transition: S_IPLEARN_INIT -> S_IPLEARN_IN_PROGRESS
2025/01/21 15:21:57.534166453 {wncd_x_R0-0}{1}: [sisf-packet] [21675]: (info): TX: DHCPv4 from interface capwap_90000016 on vlan 1417 Src MAC: ee13.e8a8.cd5b Dst MAC: ffff.ffff.ffff src_ip: 0.0.0.0, dst_ip: 255.255.255.255, BOOTPREQUEST, SISF_DHCPREQUEST, giaddr: 0.0.0.0, yiaddr: 0.0.0.0, CMAC: ee13.e8a8.cd5b
2025/01/21 15:21:57.535325325 {wncd_x_R0-0}{1}: [client-iplearn] [21675]: (note): MAC: ee13.e8a8.cd5b Client IP learn successful. Method: DHCP IP: 10.107.81.254
2025/01/21 15:21:57.535874658 {wncd_x_R0-0}{1}: [sisf-packet] [21675]: (info): TX: DHCPv4 from interface Tw0/0/1 on vlan 1417 Src MAC: 4cec.0fde.a4c1 Dst MAC: ee13.e8a8.cd5b src_ip: 10.107.81.1, dst_ip: 10.107.81.254, BOOTPREPLY, SISF_DHCPACK, giaddr: 0.0.0.0, yiaddr: 10.107.81.254, CMAC: ee13.e8a8.cd5b
2025/01/21 15:21:57.536500021 {wncd_x_R0-0}{1}: [client-orch-sm] [21675]: (debug): MAC: ee13.e8a8.cd5b Received ip learn response. method: IPLEARN_METHOD_DHCP
2025/01/21 15:21:57.537017277 {wncd_x_R0-0}{1}: [client-orch-state] [21675]: (note): MAC: ee13.e8a8.cd5b Client state transition: S_CO_IP_LEARN_IN_PROGRESS -> S_CO_RUN
2025/01/16 15:36:06.178370757 {wncd_x_R0-2}{1}: [client-orch-sm] [17332]: (note): MAC: d037.4587.8f35 Association received. BSSID 6cd6.e301.bbae, WLAN OPEN-OWE, Slot 1 AP 6cd6.e301.bba0, ap01, Site tag default-site-tag, Policy tag Laki-Policy-Tag, Policy profile OWE-Policy, Switching Central, Socket delay 0ms
2025/01/16 15:36:06.209288788 {wncd_x_R0-2}{1}: [dot11] [17332]: (note): MAC: d037.4587.8f35 Association success. AID 1, Roaming = False, WGB = False, 11r = False, 11w = False Fast roam = False
2025/01/16 15:36:06.248651191 {wncd_x_R0-2}{1}: [client-auth] [17332]: (note): MAC: d037.4587.8f35 Open L2 Authentication Success. EAP type: NA, Resolved VLAN: 1417, Audit Session id: 000000000000000B696B83DE
2025/01/16 15:36:06.248751507 {wncd_x_R0-2}{1}: [client-orch-state] [17332]: (note): MAC: d037.4587.8f35 Client state transition: S_CO_L2_AUTH_IN_PROGRESS -> S_CO_MOBILITY_DISCOVERY_IN_PROGRESS
2025/01/16 15:36:06.281808554 {wncd_x_R0-2}{1}: [client-orch-state] [17332]: (note): MAC: d037.4587.8f35 Client state transition: S_CO_MOBILITY_DISCOVERY_IN_PROGRESS -> S_CO_DPATH_PLUMB_IN_PROGRESS
2025/01/16 15:36:06.303307756 {wncd_x_R0-2}{1}: [client-orch-state] [17332]: (note): MAC: d037.4587.8f35 Client state transition: S_CO_DPATH_PLUMB_IN_PROGRESS -> S_CO_IP_LEARN_IN_PROGRESS
2025/01/16 15:36:10.305041414 {wncd_x_R0-2}{1}: [client-iplearn] [17332]: (note): MAC: d037.4587.8f35 Client IP learn successful. Method: ARP IP: 10.106.241.167
2025/01/16 15:36:10.305777492 {wncd_x_R0-2}{1}: [client-orch-state] [17332]: (note): MAC: d037.4587.8f35 Client state transition: S_CO_IP_LEARN_IN_PROGRESS -> S_CO_RUN
Image-9 : Error Message when we enable FT in OWE Transition SSID
We are not able to enable OWE in these combinations,
1. 802.1x or FT+802.1x
2. PSK or FT+PSK or PSK-SHA256
3. SAE or FT+SAE
4. 802.1x-SHA256 or FT+802.1x-SHA256
If you try to enable any one of the these methods, you can get the error message,
Image-10: Error Message getting while enabling other authentication methods in OWE SSID
Image-11: Error Message while enabling AKM
Login to WLC GUI -> Troubleshooting -> Radioactive Trace -> Add client wifi MAC address -> Click that clients checkbox -> Start
Login to WLC GUI -> Troubleshooting -> Packet Capture -> Add new file name -> Choose the uplink interface and WMI VLAN/Interface -> Start.
From Client Machine: If possible, you can install wireshark application and collect the packet capture by choosing WiFi interface.
You can collect it by using MAC laptop or configuring one of the AP in to sniffer mode, please refer these links,
From MAC laptop:
From Sniffer AP:
Connect one laptop (wireshark server) to the switch port and it must have wireshark application installed in it, this wireshark server must have reachability to WLC WMI interface. Need to allow the protocol "5555 or 5000 or 5556" in firewall if it presents in between your WLC and wireshark server.
Check is there any "gscaler" installed in that PC where wireshark installed, if it is than please "turn off" and try, if it is any firewall like windows defender or anything present in it, please disable those and try to collect PCAP.
When client roams from one AP to another, it needs to do these steps,
Example:
If client connects to the same AP, then you can see same PMKID in both Association-Request and Association-Response. In Association response, you cannot see DH details if it uses the same PMKID.
Image-14: Using Same PMKID
Image-15: Association Response with same PMKID
For testing, deleted this client manually from WLC and it got associated again to the same AP, at this time, the client sends a same PMKID however AP sends DH details in association response.
Image-16: After deleting, Client sent same PMKID with DH details
Image-17: AP uses DH values to generate its new PMKID
In this example: Both AP and client uses the same PMKID while doing 4-Way handshake, check in "M1 and in M2" messages.Image- 18: AP and Client using the same PMKID
In this example: Client using the same PMKID but AP using different PMKID which it generated after client got deleted, check "M1 and M2" messages.Image-19: AP and Client using different PMKID
From Internal RA Trace:
In this example: Client sent DH parameters in association-request and AP processed than generated the PMK.
2025/01/21 15:18:50.157081690 {wncd_x_R0-0}{1}: [dot11-validate] [21675]: (debug): MAC: ee13.e8a8.cd5b In case of DH parameter IE received.
2025/01/21 15:18:50.157082294 {wncd_x_R0-0}{1}: [dot11-validate] [21675]: (debug): MAC: ee13.e8a8.cd5b Dot11 ie process received DH param element.
2025/01/21 15:18:50.157523328 {wncd_x_R0-0}{1}: [dot11-validate] [21675]: (debug): MAC: ee13.e8a8.cd5b OWE: prk:
2025/01/21 15:18:50.157531792 {wncd_x_R0-0}{1}: [dot11-validate] [21675]: (debug): MAC: ee13.e8a8.cd5b OWE: PMK:
2025/01/21 15:18:50.157532236 {wncd_x_R0-0}{1}: [dot11-validate] [21675]: (debug): MAC: ee13.e8a8.cd5b OWE: PMKID:
2025/01/21 15:18:50.157532538 {wncd_x_R0-0}{1}: [dot11-validate] [21675]: (debug): MAC: ee13.e8a8.cd5b Dot11 IE validate DH parameter element.IE ID = 255 , Len = 35
2025/01/21 15:18:50.157841380 {wncd_x_R0-0}{1}: [dot11-frame] [21675]: (debug): MAC: ee13.e8a8.cd5b OWE :DH parameter element encoding sucessful
After this, the same client connecting to the same AP, at this time, AP did not generated new PMKID,
2025/01/21 15:21:57.391898613 {wncd_x_R0-0}{1}: [dot11-validate] [21675]: (debug): MAC: ee13.e8a8.cd5b In case of DH parameter IE received.
2025/01/21 15:21:57.391903915 {wncd_x_R0-0}{1}: [dot11-validate] [21675]: (debug): MAC: ee13.e8a8.cd5b Dot11 ie process received DH param element.
2025/01/21 15:21:57.391906073 {wncd_x_R0-0}{1}: [dot11-validate] [21675]: (debug): MAC: ee13.e8a8.cd5b Dot11 ie validate DH param element. PMKID found so skipping DH processing.
2025/01/21 15:21:57.391906329 {wncd_x_R0-0}{1}: [dot11-validate] [21675]: (debug): MAC: ee13.e8a8.cd5b Dot11 IE validate DH parameter element.IE ID = 255 , Len = 35
Revision | Publish Date | Comments |
---|---|---|
1.0 |
21-Mar-2025
|
Initial Release |