Patent ID: 7188161
Filing Date: 2007-03-06
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method comprising the steps of: downloading a configuration file to a mobile data terminal from a provisioning server via a secure channel, the configuration file downloadable from the mobile data terminal to a network element, the network element being one of a router, switch, firewall, or gateway, the network element located at a customer premises, the configuration file adapted to configure the network element for operation, the configuration comprising a network topology, addresses, and security parameters, said downloading of the configuration file responsive to: a connection created between the network element and the mobile data terminal; a web page requested by the mobile data terminal from the provisioning server; a customer request, the customer authenticated to the provisioning server via the web page; a second web page and an applet downloaded from the provisioning server after customer authentication; a handshake is established between the network element and the applet; a serial number received from the network element during the handshake; a determination if the received serial number matches a serial number stored by the mobile data terminal; and if a match occurred, a provisioning server network address/port and shared secret transmitted to the network element, the shared secret configured to create the secure channel, the shared secret computed by a random number generator.