Systems and Methods for Resetting a Network Device

• US 20080151866A1
• Filed: 12/21/2006
• Published: 06/26/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Verizon Data Services Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Inventors: Wu, Jingsong
• Granted Patent: US 8,189,572 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/352
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/06 for supporting key management in a packet data network cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for key management H04L9/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1059 End-user terminal functionalities specially adapted for real-time communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1104 Session initiation protocol [SIP]

Abstract

A network device includes a data store with first and second parameters, the first parameter affecting a communication operation of the network device and the second parameter affecting a security operation of the network device. A device reset function enables a user to selectively and independently refresh the first and second parameters. For example, a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) device user can restore a default communications configuration of the SIP device while preserving the device decryption key.

Claims

1. A network device comprising:

a communications interface configured for two-way voice communication via a packet-switched communications network;

a data store including first and second parameters, the first parameter affecting a communication function of the network device and the second parameter affecting a security function of the network device; and

a reset function enabling a user of the network device to selectively and independently refresh the first and second parameters.

2. A network device according to claim 1, wherein refreshing the first parameter restores a default state of the first parameter.

3. A network device according to claim 1, wherein the second parameter is a decryption key and refreshing the decryption key results in one of restoration of a default key and acquisition of a new key.

4. A Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) device, comprising:

a data store including programmable communications parameters and a decryption key; and

a reset function enabling a user of the SIP device to selectively and independently reset the communications parameters and the decryption key.

5. A SIP device according to claim 4, wherein resetting the communications parameters restores a default state of the communications parameters.

6. A SIP device according to claim 4, wherein resetting the decryption key results in one of restoring a default key and acquiring a new key.

7. A method of resetting a network device, comprising:

receiving a request to reset the network device;

determining whether a decryption key of the device is to be refreshed;

restoring a default state of at least one communication parameter associated with the network device; and

refreshing the decryption key, concomitant with the restoring the default state of the at least one communication parameter, only when the determining indicates that the decryption key is to be refreshed.

8. A method according to claim 7 wherein the refreshing of the decryption key results in one of restoring a default key and acquiring a new key.

9. A method of resetting a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) device, comprising:

restoring a default state of at least one programmable communication parameter of the SIP device; and

selectively refreshing a decryption key of the SIP device during the restoring of the default state of the at least one communication parameter.

10. A method according to claim 9, wherein the selective refreshing of the decryption key results in one of restoring a default key and acquiring a new key.