Method and apparatus for secure distributed collaboration and communication
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for secure distributed collaboration and communications, comprising:
- a plurality of host systems which are accessible by one or more users;
a distributed ad-hoc network which is used for all communications between said host systems;
wherein direct connections between said host systems are not brought up on demand;
a mechanism for maintaining said network as a private network by only connecting or allowing connections between known users; and
a link layer encryption mechanism for encrypting all communications links between said hosts.
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Abstract
The invention comprises a system that permits secure distributed collaboration and communications for small trusted groups of people. The presently preferred embodiment of the invention allows users to communicate and transfer information easily and effortlessly. The invention requires very little administration, and no central server or central administration is required.
70 Citations
25 Claims
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1. An apparatus for secure distributed collaboration and communications, comprising:
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a plurality of host systems which are accessible by one or more users;
a distributed ad-hoc network which is used for all communications between said host systems;
wherein direct connections between said host systems are not brought up on demand;
a mechanism for maintaining said network as a private network by only connecting or allowing connections between known users; and
a link layer encryption mechanism for encrypting all communications links between said hosts. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method for communicating over a distributed peer-to-peer network between a plurality of hosts, comprising the steps of:
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maintaining said network as a private network by only connecting or allowing connections between known users;
encrypting all communications links between said hosts with a link layer encryption mechanism;
exchanging user messages between said hosts via broadcast request routed reply method which comprises the steps of;
a sending host sending out a broadcast message to said network; and
zero or more hosts sending routed replies that follow a path of said broadcast message back to said sending host. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for communicating over a distributed peer-to-peer network between a plurality of hosts, comprising the steps of:
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maintaining said network as a private network by only connecting or allowing connections between known users;
encrypting all communications links between said hosts with a link layer encryption mechanism;
providing one or more services for use on said network. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. An apparatus for secure distributed collaboration and communications, comprising:
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a plurality of host systems which are accessible by one or more users;
a distributed ad-hoc network which is used for all communications between said host systems;
wherein direct connections between said host systems are not brought up on demand;
a mechanism for maintaining said network as a private network by only connecting or allowing connections between known users; and
a link layer encryption mechanism for encrypting all communications links between said hosts, said link layer encryption mechanism comprising a link connection negotiation algorithm. - View Dependent Claims (25)
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Specification