What is the main purpose of the Protected Extensible Authentication Protocol (PEAP)?

The main purpose of the Protected Extensible Authentication Protocol (PEAP) is to encapsulate the Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) within an encrypted Transport Layer Security (TLS) tunnel. This mechanism enhances security by protecting the EAP communication over the network, preventing potential eavesdropping or man-in-the-middle attacks.

PEAP is widely used in wireless networks, especially in enterprise environments, because it provides a way to securely transmit authentication information. By establishing a secure tunnel first, PEAP ensures that the actual credentials are encrypted and less susceptible to interception during the authentication process. This method not only safeguards user data but also enables organizations to implement various EAP methods, such as EAP-MSCHAPv2 or EAP-GTC, within a secure context.

In contrast, the other options focus on different functionalities that do not align with PEAP's primary aim. For example, granting guest users access pertains more to guest network solutions rather than the core function of PEAP. Directly connecting IoT devices does not encapsulate the purpose of PEAP, and while token-based authentication frameworks exist, they operate under a different premise than what PEAP focuses on.