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Methods and apparatus for physical layer security of a network communications link

  • US 20070240213A1
  • Filed: 03/15/2006
  • Published: 10/11/2007
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2006
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method of operating a communications port of a network communications device, comprising:

  • maintaining capability information indicating that under normal operating conditions a communications link coupled to the communications port is capable of operating in a secure mode in which communications signals of the communications link are unintelligible to an intruder having an unauthorized physical connection to the communications link;

    detecting occurrence of a link event of a type that can invoke an automatic communications-mode control mechanism to change the operating of the communications link to a non-secure mode in which communications signals of the communications link are intelligible to such an intruder; and

    based on the capability information, responding to the detected occurrence of the link event by preventing the automatic communications mode control mechanism from changing the operating of the communications link to the non-secure mode.

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