The Wired AutoConfig (dot3svc) service performs IEEE 802.1X authentication on Ethernet interfaces. By using the Wired Network (IEEE 802.3) Policies, Group Policy settings, and client-side extensions in Windows Server 2008 R2, you can specify network settings for computers running Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2. (The computers must connect to an Ethernet network through an 802.1X-compatible switch in an Active Directory environment.)

Note: You cannot configure computers running Windows XP or Windows Server 2003 by using Wired Network (IEEE 802.3) Policies.

If your current wired network deployment enforces 802.1x authentication, the Wired AutoConfig service should be configured to run to establish Layer 2 connectivity and provide access to network resources. Wired networks that do not enforce 802.1x authentication are unaffected by the Wired AutoConfig service.

This service is installed by default and its startup type is Manual.

When the Wired AutoConfig service is started in its default configuration, it logs on by using the Local System account.

The Wired AutoConfig service is dependent upon the following system components:

• Extensible Authentication Protocol
• CNG Key Isolation
• Remote Procedure Call (RPC)
• DCOM Server Process Launcher
• RPC Endpoint Mapper
• NDIS Usermode I/O Protocol