method and system for securing a sternnetzverbindung using public key cryptography

摘要

An intermediate system authenticates end systems, in one embodiment usingcryptography. An authentication routine is called on a port when anintermediate system detects any interruption in the physical connection withthe port. An embodiment requires a user to supply a secret known only to theuser before allowing data to be transmitted. Network data is not fullytransmitted or received to any port that has not been authenticated. Theinvention distributes a user authentication to the point where an end systeminitially connects to a network, to prevent an authorized reception ortransmission of network data that is not prevented under existing networklogin systems. The invention may be incorporated into an intermediate system,into intermediate system software, or into applications specific integratedcircuits designed for use in an intermediate system. The invention may includecomponents that interact specifically with installed components in an endsystem or elsewhere in a network.