Patent ID: 6965992
Filing Date: 2005-11-15
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A system for network security comprising: a first network device having a first encryption key, the first encryption key including a first base key and a key extension in addition to the first base key, the key extension being based on a hash function of an internal key and a network device identifier; a second network device having the first encryption key and a second encryption key, the second encryption key including a second base key, wherein the second network device is capable of communicating with the first network device using security determined by the first encryption key; and a third network device having the second encryption key, wherein the third network device is capable of communicating with the second network device using security determined by the second encryption key; wherein the first encryption key is used to encrypt and decrypt communications between the first and second network devices, and the second encryption key is used to encrypt and decrypt communications between the second and third network devices; and wherein the security determined by the first encryption key is stronger than the security determined by the second encryption key.