Itt Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc.

Itt Industries, Inc.

Eric S Maiwald

Edwin H Wrench

Stephen E Levin

James M Holden

James O Nickel

John Boyle

David W Snow

David Wayne Snow, Deceased

A method is disclosed for establishing trusted communications with associations for communications between users on an Internet Protocol based computer network. The method entails the first user's SNIU determining the Internet Protocol (IP) address of a second user's SNIU on the computer network through the use of custom and ICMP Echo Request and Reply messages. The user's SNIUs exchange security related information needed to complete the establishment of a trusted association. The trusted association is maintained during all communications between the first user and the second user.

Method for establishing trust in a computer network via association

A method is disclosed for establishing trusted communications with associations for communications between users on an Internet Protocol based computer network. The method entails the first user determining the Internet Protocol (IP) address of a second user on the computer network through the use of Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) and Reverse Address Resolution Protocol (RARP). The first user then determining the accessability of the second user on the computer network. The users exchange security related information needed to complete the establishment of a trusted association. The trusted association is maintained during all communications between the first user and the second user.

Using trusted associations to establish trust in a computer network

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Gaithersburg, MA, United States of America

Eric S Maiwald