International Business Machines Corporation

Ronald E Bjorklund

Frederic J Bauchot

Shay Kutten

Amir Herzberg

Michele M Wetterwald

This invention deals with a safe key distribution and authentication in a data communication network (e.g. wireless LAN type of network). The network includes a network manager to which are connected, via a LAN wired circuit, one or more base stations. Individual remote stations are, in turn, wirelessly connected to an installed base station. One essential function for achieving security in such a network, is a mechanism to reliably authenticate the exchanges of data between communicating parties. This involves the establishment of session keys, which keys need to be distributed safely to the network components. An original and safe method is provided with this invention for key distribution and authentication during network installation, said method including using the first installed base station for generating a network key and a backbone key, and then using said first installed base station for subsequent remote station or additional base station installations while avoiding communicating said network key.

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Gattieres, France

Ronald E Bjorklund