METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING SECURITY IN A STAR NETWORK CONNECTION USING PUBLIC KEY CRYPTOGRAPHY

摘要

An intermediate system authenticates end systems, in one embodiment using cryptography. An authentication routine is called on a port when an intermediate system detects any interruption in the physical connection with the port. An embodiment requires a user to supply a secret known only to the user before allowing data to be transmitted. Network data is not fully transmitted or received to any port that has not been authenticated. The invention distributes a user authentication to the point where an end system initially connects to a network, to prevent an authorized reception or transmission of network data that is not prevented under existing network login systems. The invention may be incorporated into an intermediate system, into intermediate system software, or into applications specific integrated circuits designed for use in an intermediate system. The invention may include components that interact specifically with installed components in an end system or elsewhere in a network.