Patent ID: 7668954

Claim:
A method for validating the identity of a network adapter attached to a computer connected to a computerized network comprising the steps of: providing a code as a unique identifier of said network adapter attached to said computer; providing a signed version of said code, wherein said signed version 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 signed version of said code within said computer; encrypting said signed version of said code by generating a second private key and a second public key and encoding said signed version of said code with said second public key to form an encrypted and signed code; transmitting said encrypted and signed code over said network, wherein said step of transmitting is performed in response to said network adapter being connected to said network; decoding said encrypted and signed code with said first public key and said second private key, wherein the said step of decoding is performed by an apparatus attached to said network responsible for validating the identity of network adapters; generating a validation status based on said step of decoding, wherein said validation status is used by said apparatus to determine if said code properly identifies said network adapter; wherein said code is a 48-bit Ethernet Media Access Control (MAC) address; and wherein said step of storing takes place during the manufacturing or assembly of said computer before it is delivered to an end user.