Patent ID: 8949949
Filing Date: 2015-02-03
Classification: H04L,H04W

Abstract:
1. A method for authenticating a new switch on a first network, comprising: receiving, at a mobile device via a direct connection between the mobile device and the new switch, an identifier that identifies the new switch; transmitting, via a second network, the identifier to an authentication server that determines, based on the identifier, whether the new switch is authorized to route data on the first network, wherein the second network is a public network; when the authentication server determines that the new switch is authorized to route data on the first network, receiving, via the second, public network, a private key for a discovery packet on the first network, the discovery packet specifying how to route data on the first network; and configuring, via the direct connection, the new switch with the private key to enable the new switch to digitally sign the discovery packet, wherein the new switch transmits the digitally signed discovery packet on the first network to another network element, the other network element authenticates the discovery packet using the digital signature, and, when the other network element authenticates the discovery packet, the other network element starts routing data to the new switch.