3com Corporation

Jupiter Technology, Inc.

Alexander S Brown

Danny M Nessett

Clive Dolphin

Bruce S Allen

James T Hirni

A method of installing a network device in a packet-based data communication network and checking the authenticity of the installation includes: (a) communicating identification information of the device to a management system; (b) installing the device; (c) obtaining from a protocol address administrator a protocol address for the device; (d) sending a communication from the device to the management system; (e) conducting a key agreement protocol exchange between the device and the management system to establish a set of encryption keys; (f) using the set of encryption keys to provide mutual authentication by the device and the management system; (g) associating, within the management system, the time of the communication in step (d) with the identification information and the protocol address of the device; and (h) communicating from the management system to the administrator a message including the identification information, the protocol address and the time.

Method for secure installation of device in packet based communication network

A universal programmable data communication connection system which is user programmable to provide a selective data path between one or more data source and one or more data destination. The data connection system allows the user to 'patch' signals from source to destination with simple commands. The system then provides the data path and conversion processes through selection among prestored process tasks or 'softblocks' which are connected to 'sockets' by software 'wires'. Within a finite capacity, one or more data paths of varying degrees of complexity may be connected or disconnected, at operator command, without interruption of existing or non-altered system connections and functions. If the data source and data destination are of different format and/or protocol, the connection system can also provides the corresponding data processing to maintain an uninterrupted flow of data.

Growing community of inventors

Hopkinton, MA, United States of America

Alexander S Brown