Patent ID: 8352729

Claim:
A computer implemented method for securing a routing path, the method comprising: receiving a request for secure route identification from an upstream node; responsive to receiving the request for secure route identification, transmitting a local node security level and an authentication key to the upstream node; determining whether at least one downstream node is authentic and has sufficient security level from a second-level downstream node; receiving an address for the at least one downstream node from the upstream node, wherein the determining whether the at least one downstream node is authentic and has sufficient security level from a second-level downstream node is based on the address for the at least one downstream node; establishing a socket to the upstream node; requesting secure route identification from the at least one downstream node; receiving a downstream security level and a downstream authentication key from the at least one downstream node; determining that the downstream security level is a sufficient security level; determining that the downstream authentication key is authentic; and responsive to a determination that the downstream authentication key is authentic and the downstream security level is the sufficient security level, establishing a socket to the at least one downstream node.