Method and apparatus for communicating credential information within a network device authentication conversation
US7171555B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 29, 2003 |
| Grant date | Jan 30, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 2, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04W84/12
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method is disclosed for communicating a security credential within a network device authentication conversation. An authenticator that is coupled to a supplicant through a network performs a first message conversation resulting in creating a security context that is known to the authenticator and the supplicant. A second message conversation is initiated. The second message conversation is cryptographically protected using the same security context. A security credential is provided to the supplicant in the second message conversation. The second message conversation and first message conversation are then concluded. Specific embodiments can bootstrap digital certificates, public/private key pairs, and other credentials to supplicants, in-band, within an EAP-SIM or EAP-AKA conversation and without initiating a new session or exchanging special-purpose keys to protect distribution of the credentials.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.