Patent ID: 8364949
Filing Date: 2013-01-29
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method comprising: storing, with a sending device, a plurality of authentication elements that each includes an identifier, a key, a security algorithm, and a start time representing when the respective authentication element is valid for calculating a security portion for a network segment of a network connection associated with the plurality of authentication elements, wherein at least one of the plurality of authentication elements has a start time that is greater than a current time; selecting one of the stored plurality of authentication elements that has a start time that is less than or equal to the current time for calculating the security portion for the network segment, wherein the sending device performs the selection of the one of the plurality of authentication elements; after selecting one of the stored plurality of authentication elements, generating with the sending device the security portion for the network segment associated with the network connection by applying the security algorithm and the key of the selected authentication element to at least a portion of the network segment; and outputting via the network connection the network segment to a receiving device, wherein the network segment includes the security portion for authenticating the sending device and the identifier of the selected authentication element used to calculate the security portion.