Method for utilizing an encrypted key as a key identifier in a data packet in a computer network
US5081678A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 28, 1989 |
| Grant date | Jan 14, 1992 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 28, 2009 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L9/083
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The nodes in a computer network utilize an encrypted key as a key identifier in a data packets transferred between nodes which eliminates the need for a receiving node to perform a memory look up operation to ascertain the key used to encrypt the data. Each node is provided with a master key that is unique to each node. When two nodes want to establish communications they first negotiate a shared key. This shared key is then encrypted under each nodes' master key. The nodes then exchange their respective encrypted key. The encrypted key of the receiving node is placed in the data packet to be sent by the transmitting node. Upon receiving a data packet, the receiving node decrypts the encrypted key to determine the shared key. This shared key is then used to decrypt encrypted data in the data packet.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.