Cryptographic authentication using a network management protocol

摘要

A computer is provided that is able to participate in a challenge-response authentication routine by using a network management protocol. In one embodiment, a first computer issues a challenge to a second computer by transmitting an SNMP SetRequest message to the second computer. The SetRequest message includes a pre-determined object identifier and a challenge block associated therewith. The second computer responds by transmitting an SNMP GetResponse message. The GetResponse message includes the object identifier and the response block associated therewith. The first computer receives this message and verifies the response block.