Patent ID: 7877596
Filing Date: 2011-01-25
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method of verifying software operating nodes of a network using time-based verification, said method comprising the steps of: (1) sending from a main verifier node to a plurality of nodes that are one network hop away from said main verifier node a time-based verification challenge; (2) each of said first plurality of nodes executing said challenge to generate a result and returning said result to said main verifier node; (3) said main verifier node determining time delays between issuing said challenges and receiving said responses for each of said plurality of first nodes; (4) said main verifier node determining whether each of said first plurality of nodes is operating properly based on said result and said time delay; (5) for each node in said first plurality of nodes that is verified to be operating properly, said main verifier node requesting said node to issue a challenge to a corresponding second plurality of nodes, said second plurality of nodes consisting of said network that are one hop away from said node; (6) each verified node of said first plurality of nodes issuing said challenges to said corresponding second plurality of nodes without said challenge passing through another node of said network; (7) each of said nodes of said second pluralities of nodes executing said challenge to generate a result and returning said result to said corresponding node of said first plurality of nodes; (8) each verified node of said first plurality of nodes determining a time delay between issuing said challenge and receiving said response for each node of said second plurality of nodes corresponding to said node; (9) each verified node of said first plurality of nodes sending said responses and recorded time delays to said main verifier node; and (10) said main verifier node determining whether said nodes of said second pluralities of nodes are operating properly based on said results and said time delays.