I looked through several different options to see if the switch could be manipulated to perform the same action as the open authentication, but i couldn't find a way. I thought the unauth-vlan command would work. But with that VLAN needs to be different from the authenticated VLAN.  Page 508 of the user guide has a detailed example you could follow.  [URL] Lay out each step that you need to take to implement. Then during non peak hours implement and test. Be sure to have a backup of the current config. 
Hi We are setting up switches to use RADIUS. In order to check if all clients authenticate as we think they will do, it would be nice to issue a command like they have in Cisco switches "authentication open". This allows 802.1x to do it's work, but let the client through anyway. In that way you can see if the 802.1x failed or succeeded, without bothering end users.  Is there a similar function in Dell Powerconnect ?  Regards  Kjetil
authentication open for aaa debugging on Powerconnect