Patent ID: 8307072

Claim:
A method for validating a network adapter attached to a computer connected to a computerized network, the method comprising: associating a code with the network adapter, wherein said code comprises a 48-bit Ethernet Media Access Control (MAC) address; receiving a signed version of said code, wherein said signed version of said code is generated by generating a first private key and a first public key and encoding said code with said first private key; storing said code and said signed version of said code within said computer, wherein said storing takes place during the manufacturing or assembly of said computer, before it is delivered to an end user; encrypting said signed version of said code by encoding said signed version of said code with a second public key to form an encrypted and signed code; and transmitting said encrypted and signed code over said network to an apparatus attached to said network, wherein said apparatus decodes said encrypted and signed code with said first public key and a second private key and generates a validation status.