Patent ID: 8495371
Filing Date: 2013-07-23
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method comprising: generating, via a first optical network device comprising one or more ports, a first authentication message comprising first message data and a first authentication code computed based on the first message data and a first key, without accessing a database storing unique credentials for subscribers; transmitting, via the first optical network device, the first authentication message to a second optical network device; receiving, via the first optical network device, a second authentication message comprising second message data and a second authentication code generated via the second optical network device based on the second message data and a second key; generating, via the first optical network device, a third key based on the first key and a second client identification field of the second message data; generating, via the first optical network device, a third authentication code by applying the third key and a message digest algorithm to the second message data; authorizing, via the first optical network device, communication between the first optical network device and the second optical network device, at least in part by comparing the second authentication code with the third authentication code; and when the second authentication code matches the third authentication code, transmitting, via the first optical network device, a third authentication message to the second optical network device, and unblocking at least one of the one or more ports.