METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR INTEGRATED PROVISIONING OF A NETWORK DEVICE WITH CONFIGURATION INFORMATION AND IDENTITY CERTIFICATION
First Claim
1. A provisioning server for provisioning a network device, comprising:
- a configuration module that is adapted for configuring the network device; and
an identification certification module that is configured for certifying the identity of the network device;
wherein the provisioning server is physically co-located with and securely coupled to the network device;
wherein the provisioning server is configured to read and write configuration information and parameters, key information and identity certification information to and from the network device; and
wherein the identification certification module is configured for obtaining certification of the network device'"'"'s identity without a network connection between the network device and an external certificate authority.
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Accused Products
Abstract
According to one aspect, a provisioning server comprises a configuration module that configures a network device and an identification certification module that certifies the identity of the network device. With use of the provisioning server, the network device does not require configuration with network connectivity in order to obtain its certified identity. In one embodiment, configuration module configures the device for operation at the device'"'"'s point of deployment in a network. In one embodiment, the identity certification module is configured to generate a digital certificate for the network device and the configuration module is configured to automatically configure the network device based on its digital certificate. The provisioning server is coupled to the network device with a secure communication link. As a result, a more trusted network device is ultimately deployed into its network of operation.
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Citations
34 Claims
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1. A provisioning server for provisioning a network device, comprising:
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a configuration module that is adapted for configuring the network device; and an identification certification module that is configured for certifying the identity of the network device; wherein the provisioning server is physically co-located with and securely coupled to the network device; wherein the provisioning server is configured to read and write configuration information and parameters, key information and identity certification information to and from the network device; and wherein the identification certification module is configured for obtaining certification of the network device'"'"'s identity without a network connection between the network device and an external certificate authority. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for provisioning a network device, the method comprising the computer-implemented steps of:
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in a provisioning server, configuring the network device; and in the provisioning server, certifying the identity of the network device; wherein the provisioning server is physically co-located with and securely coupled to the network device; wherein the provisioning server is configured to read and write configuration information and parameters, key information and identity certification information to and from the network device; and wherein the provisioning server is configured for obtaining certification of the network device'"'"'s identity without a network connection between the network device and an external certificate authority. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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17. A computer-readable storage medium storing one or more sequences of instructions for provisioning a network device, which instructions, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to carry out the steps of:
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in a provisioning server, configuring the network device; and in the provisioning server, certifying the identity of the network device; wherein the provisioning server is physically co-located with and communicates with the network device; wherein the provisioning server is configured to read and write configuration information and parameters, key information and identity certification information to and from the network device; and wherein the provisioning server is configured for obtaining certification of the network device'"'"'s identity without a network connection between the network device and an external certificate authority. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A system for provisioning a network device, the system comprising:
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means for configuring the network device; and means for certifying the identity of the network device; wherein the system is physically co-located with and securely coupled to the network device; wherein the system is configured to read and write configuration information and parameters, key information and identity certification information to and from the network device; wherein the system is configured for obtaining certification of the network device'"'"'s identity without a network connection between the network device and an external certificate authority. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27)
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28. A device for providing a network device, the device comprising:
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one or more processors; a computer-readable storage medium comprising one or more stored sequences which, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to carry out the steps of; configuring the network device; and certifying the identity of the network device; wherein the device is physically co-located with and securely coupled to the network device; wherein the device is configured to read and write configuration information and parameters, key information and identity certification information to and from the network device over the link; and wherein the device is configured for obtaining certification of the network device'"'"'s identity without a network connection between the network device and an external certificate authority. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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Specification