Patent ID: 6480608
Filing Date: 2002-11-12
Classification: H04L,H04Q

Abstract:
In an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) telecommunications network, said network being able to have a plurality of virtual paths established thereacross, a method of updating a first encryption key being used for encrypting a data stream being transmitted between a respective source and receiver to a second encryption key being used for continuing encryption of said data stream while being transmitted, the data stream being transmitted initially over a first of the plurality of virtual paths, the method comprising the steps of:a) establishing a further virtual path across the network between the respective source and receiver; b) generating and transmitting the second encryption key from said respective source to said receiver over the further virtual path; c) updating to the second encryption key by changing transmission of said data stream encrypted with the first encryption key over the first of the plurality of virtual paths to further transmission of said data stream encrypted with the second encryption key over the further virtual path; and d) removing the first of the plurality of virtual paths.