Patent ID: 8316430
Filing Date: 2012-11-20
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. An apparatus, comprising: a network interface; a packet filter coupled to the network interface; an authentication module coupled to the packet filter; a timer module coupled to the authentication module; wherein the authentication module comprises logic which when executed causes: the timer module starting a timer having a specified expiration time; wherein the specified expiration time is greater than or equal to a boot delay of the apparatus; receiving a packet on a particular port of the network interface; determining whether the timer has reached the specified expiration time; determining whether the packet is associated with the authentication protocol; in response to determining that authentication with the particular port is required, that the timer has not reached the specified expiration time, that the packet is not associated with the authentication protocol, and that no authentication packet has been received, the packet filter blocking the packet without shutting down the particular port; in response to determining that the timer has not reached the specified expiration time and that the packet is associated with the authentication protocol, the timer module disabling the timer, transmitting one or more other packets of the authentication protocol until successfully authenticating the apparatus, and then the packet filter permitting transmission of all packets.