In Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) terminology, the client station is called the:

In the context of the Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP), the client station is referred to as the supplicant. The role of the supplicant is crucial, as it represents the device that seeks to authenticate itself to a network. This device initiates the authentication process by communicating with the authenticator, usually an access point or network switch. The supplicant typically provides credentials or authentication information during this process.

The use of the term "supplicant" emphasizes the request for access and the dependence on the network's authentication system, which includes both the authenticator and the authentication server. Understanding this terminology is key for grasping how EAP operates and the roles played by different entities in the authentication framework.