Patent ID: 7114070
Filing Date: 2006-09-26
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method for automatic installation of a digital certificate on a cable modem in a data-over-cable system, the method comprising: performing a digital certificate installation process on the cable modem during initialization to determine whether a digital certificate is installed on the cable modem, the determination being made by the cable modem; if not, generating a digital certificate filename on the cable modem; generating a digital certificate request including the digital certificate filename on the cable modem, the digital certificate request being initiated by the cable modem; sending the digital certificate request including the digital certificate filename from the cable modem to a predetermined network server; receiving a digital certificate file on the cable modem including at least one digital certificate, the digital certificate file having been sent from the network server; and storing the at least one digital certificate received from the network server on the cable modem; wherein the digital certificate is required to authenticate the cable modem on a Cable Modem Termination System (CMTS) to prevent unauthorized cable modems from accessing services of the CMTS.