Patent ID: 6272538
Filing Date: 2001-08-07
Classification: G06F,H04L,H04W

Abstract:
A multi-level network security system for a computer host device coupled to at least one computer network, comprising:a secure network interface unit (SNIU), said SNIU communicating with other like SNIU devices on said network by dynamically establishing associations, respectively, thereby creating a global security perimeter for end-to-end communications and wherein said network may be individually secure or non-secure without compromising security of communications within said global security perimeter, comprising:a host/network interface for receiving messages sent between said computer device and said network, said interface operative to convert said received messages to and from a format utilized by said network;a message parser for determining whether said association already exists with another SNIU device;a session manager coupled to said network interface for identifying and verifying said computer device requesting access to said network, said session manager also for transmitting said messages received from said computer device when said message parser determines said association already exists; andan association manager coupled to said host/network interface for establishing an association with other like SNIU devices when said message parser determines said association does not exist.