Patent ID: 6754826
Filing Date: 2004-06-22
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
A method in a data processing system for providing an access connector which limits access to a network to only authorized client computer systems, said method comprising the steps of:providing an access connector for selectively connecting a client computer to a network, said access connector having a network switch selectively connecting said access connector to said network, said access connector having a client switch for selectively connecting said access connector to said client computer; prior to permitting said client computer to establish a client communication link with said network, said client computer authenticating itself to said access connector; and in response to said client computer being unable to authenticate itself to said access connector, said access connector disabling said client switch, whereby said client computer is unable to communicate with said access connector, thus preventing said client computer from sniffing network traffic received by said access connector, wherein said access connector is physically isolated from said client computer when said client switch is disabled, and wherein said disabling of said client switch is performed locally within said access connector.