Rekey operation with multiplexing capability

Patent 7245724 Issued on July 17, 2007. Estimated Expiration Date:

March 8, 2022. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

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Patent #: 5619572
Issued on: 04/08/1997
Inventor: Sowa

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Issued on: 01/06/1998
Inventor: Gray, et al.

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Inventors

Assignee

Atheros Communications, Inc.

Application

No. 10095178 filed on 03/08/2002

US Classes:

380/270, Wireless communication380/273, Rekeying system713/160, Packet header designating cryptographically protected data380/277KEY MANAGEMENT

Examiners

Primary: Song, Hosuk

Attorney, Agent or Firm

International Class

H04L 9/00

Abstract

A method of providing a protocol for rekeying between two stations is disclosed. The method can include providing a first set of messages for computing a new key and reserving an auxiliary storage area for the new key. The first set of messages comprises an enable exchange. The method also includes providing a second set of messages to obsolete an old key and switch to the new key. The second set of messages comprises a transition exchange. In one embodiment, the protocol includes rekeying between multiple stations, and the rekey coordinator sends the first set of messages to a plurality of rekey participants. The auxiliary storage area allows multiplexing in both the enable and transition exchanges, thereby facilitating an efficient and safe rekey operation.