Electrical computers and digital processing systems: support – Multiple computer communication using cryptography – Protection at a particular protocol layer
Patent
1997-02-28
1999-07-13
Beausoliel, Jr., Robert W.
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: support
Multiple computer communication using cryptography
Protection at a particular protocol layer
G06F 1100
Patent
active
059220740
ABSTRACT:
In an exemplary embodiment, the server receives the client's Distinguishing Name (DN), and then searches its directory for identification information and access control rights for this specific context. The server can act as a stand-alone server or in conjunction with other directory services on the network. A client must have a verifiable identity in order for secure communications to continue. A client's identity can be said to be fully verifiable if the server has access to the directory service that maintains that client's DN. The client receives the server's DN, and the client can then determine whether or not to accept a response to a request for information (i.e., trust the response). The client determines the identity of the server using some directory service (the client can act stand-alone or as a client of other directory servers). A server is fully verifiable if the client can identify the directory service that maintains the server's DN. In both cases, determining identity is predicated on being able to identify a directory service. Since servers and clients are issued identities (DN's) from some directory service before they participate in secure communications, they are able to at least identify their "home" directory service. Their "home" directory service communicates with other directory services, each "serving" their lists of electronic identities to each other using secure directory services. In this manner, a client or server can verify the peer identity of a secure communicator by relying on the trusted "home" directory service. Public Key certificates, certificate revocation lists, pending certificate requests, Certification Authority policy, and other information is stored in the directory server. Access to the directory server is through secure communications; this maintains the integrity and privacy of the information.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4405829 (1983-09-01), Riverst et al.
patent: 4864494 (1989-09-01), Kobus, Jr.
patent: 5138712 (1992-08-01), Corbin
patent: 5214702 (1993-05-01), Fischer
patent: 5572673 (1996-11-01), Shurts
patent: 5586260 (1996-12-01), Hu
patent: 5604490 (1997-02-01), Blakley, III et al.
Erie Bina et al. Secure Access to Data Over the Internet (IEEE, pp. 99-101), Feb. 1994.
Csinger Andrew
Knipe Bruce
Richard Patrick
Woodward Bruce
Beausoliel, Jr. Robert W.
Elisca Pierre Eddy
Xcert Software, Inc.
LandOfFree
Method of and apparatus for providing secure distributed directo does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Method of and apparatus for providing secure distributed directo, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Method of and apparatus for providing secure distributed directo will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2272067