Electrical computers and digital processing systems: support – Multiple computer communication using cryptography – Particular communication authentication technique
Reexamination Certificate
1998-07-29
2002-03-12
Decady, Albert (Department: 2132)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: support
Multiple computer communication using cryptography
Particular communication authentication technique
C713S151000, C713S181000, C380S282000, C709S200000, C707S793000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06357006
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This disclosure refers to methods of verifying and decoding (i.e, unwrapping) signatured single wrapped files residing on a compact disc or imported from an open network by converting them from a standard text file format to native proprietary type files usable on a proprietary computer system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the usage of modern computer systems and networks, the situation arises where systems having one proprietary protocol and data format are connected to systems having different data formats and protocols. Thus in order to provide for systems integration in different networks, it is necessary that there be provided a system or method whereby the data formats of a first system can be transferred to and utilized by the network of a differently oriented system.
For example, the Unisys A Series computer systems involve a Central Processing Unit and memory together with storage such as disk storage which operates under the control of a Master Control Program. These A Series systems use a particular format for the data files compatible with the A Series software which can be placed on CD-ROMs. Thus, the CD-ROMs which contain this A Series software contain an image of a formatted tape which can be utilized only by the A Series systems.
However, when it is desirable to integrate a first system such as the A Series systems for operation with other platforms such as an NT system, then problems arise in that the second system such as the NT system, utilizes formats which are not compatible with the software formats of the A Series system, which is the first system.
Presently, the software for a first system, such as an A Series system with software, is utilized by providing methods to burn CD disks from a Library Maintenance formatted tape. This method has the limitation in that it limits the type of files that are burned into CD-ROMs to those of the native A Series files.
Now, in order to provide for system integration where an A Series system is to be coupled to a NT system, which overall system would be designated as a Unisys ClearPath system, the desirability here would be to make and use a single CD-ROM disk which would carry both the A series software and at the same time carry the NT software.
Thus in this regard, a method is needed to couple the A Series files with their native attributes and also arrange them in a format capable of being stored on a particular media such as a CD-ROM which will also hold the readable software for the NT system.
The same system or method also provides the ability to package files of a proprietary system in such a way that allows the files to be transported across an open (non-proprietary) network without losing their original characteristics. When such files return to their native environment, their true data formats can be restored.
For example, the A Series systems have files with specialized attributes such as FILEKIND, CREATIONDATE, RELEASEID, etc. When these files are transferred to a PC running Windows NT, all those attributes will be lost. By packaging the files and their attributes into standard, simple text files, the new files then can be transported across any open system (e.g., UNIX, NT). Upon reaching their destinations (which are other A Series systems), the text files are converted back to their native forms with all the right attributes. This is ideal for maintaining A Series data formats in a heterogeneous networking environment.
A digital signature is calculated for every file as it is being WRAPPED (packaged). This signature is calculated using the Disk File Header (DFH) and the data within the file, along with the Public/Private key pair. This will ensure that there is no intentional corruption of the Disk File Header (DFH) and the data as the file is shipped across a network. It will also provide the receiver of the file a certain measure of confidence as to the origin of the file. Additionally to the signature, there will be calculated a checksum for entire contents of the file, including the Disk File Header.
When a file is wrapped with a request for digital signature, its Disk File Header will have a checksum, its entire file will also have another checksum, and a digital signature will be calculated for the entire contents of the newly wrapped file. The functionality of wrapping files with digital signature is available through the WFL syntax as well as through programmatic interface.
As a result, the Unisys A Series systems will provide a programmatic interface to its Master Control Program (MCP) which will provide a mechanism for “wrapping” files with signature and for “unwrapping” signatured wrapped files.
When a wrapped file is unwrapped, the Unisys A-Series computer determines if a digital signature is present within the file. If so, it will attempt to authenticate the signature to ensure that the data has not been altered. Once the verification process completes successfully, the system permits the file to be re-created into its native form. The Work Flow Language (WFL) syntax will also be provided for this functionality.
Wrapping is a term which is used to define the process of packaging an A Series file, along with its Disk File Header information and a checksum and optionally a digital signature, as a byte-stream data file, so that it can be transported across heterogeneous networks and non-A Series specific media, while still maintaining its native A Series attributes.
Unwrapping is a term used to define the process of taking a previously “wrapped file” and coupling it with the information from its original Disk File Header (DFH) in order to restore the original native A Series file, as it existed prior to being wrapped.
Thus, the problem of a software and file format which is oriented to one specialized system can now be transformed in order to provide a format that is utilizable not just for a first system, but also for a first and second system, whereby the second system would not ordinarily be compatible with the first system. Thus, it is desirable to allow files (created on a Unisys ClearPath HMP/NX system or A-Series system) to be transformed so they can travel across a completely different system (such as NT) without loss of the file's original native characteristics.
The present disclosure involves the “Unwrap” operation, whereby there are provided methods giving the ability to restore files that were previously “signatured” and wrapped into text stream data files, and which were transported across an open network or were burned onto industry-standard Compact Disks for distribution.
This method and system for example, provides a Unisys A-Series computer User a measure of confidence when restoring wrapped files from a Compact Disk or from other communication means (for example, MS Mail, Internet, etc.). If the file's signatures are verified, their data are guaranteed from corruption.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
A first platform having a specialized proprietary file protocol can have this file converted to an industry-standard byte stream data file in a second format usable by a second platform or placed on a CD-ROM.
Now, when the second standard format is used to communicate with the first platform, the file must be “unwrapped” and verified through a signature which was attached to the original wrapped file.
Thus, when original specialized and formatted native proprietary files have been signatured and converted to byte stream industry-standard data files to be burned on a Compact Disk or transported across an open network, it is often necessary to recapture the original files for use by the proprietary system and which has often been integrated with another system, and which may involve a Microsoft Windows NT, a UNIX or other platform in a network integrated with an A-Series system.
The present method and network allows a typical integrated system network, such as a Unisys A-Series and Microsoft NT system, to utilize the byte stream data files from a Compact Disk (or from the network) and programmatically transform the byte stream data files, after verifying t
Cotugno Lauren Ann
Pham Thien Huu
Callahan Paul E.
De'cady Albert
Kozak Alfred W.
Rode Lise A.
Starr Mark T.
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