Patent ID: 8346951

Claim:
A method comprising the steps of: creating an authorization key ( 37 ) at a first network connected device; inserting said authorization key ( 37 ) into a TCP header ( 24 ) of a TCP SYN ( 56 ); sending a packet ( 39 ) including said TCP SYN ( 56 ) to a second network connected device ( 46 ); receiving said packet ( 39 ) at said second network connected device ( 46 ); said packet ( 39 ) including a TCP header ( 24 ) containing a TCP connection request SYN ( 56 ); said packet ( 39 ) including an IP header ( 18 ) and a TCP header ( 24 ); said IP header ( 18 ) and said TCP header ( 24 ) including a field ( 19 ); said inserted authorization key ( 37 ) being extracted from said field ( 19 ); said TCP header ( 24 ) including a SEQ field ( 30 ) and an ACK field ( 32 ); said inserted authorization key ( 38 ) being extracted from said SEQ field ( 30 ) and said ACK field ( 32 ); extracting said previously inserted authorization key ( 37 ) from said TCP header ( 24 ); authorizing said TCP connection request SYN ( 56 ); using said inserted authorization key ( 37 ) and associated data; determining if said authorization is successful; and responding to said TCP connection request SYN ( 56 ) based on said determination of authorization success.