Importance

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Abstract

A method and apparatus for preventing intrusive access to a network. The method and apparatus are implemented in a network having a star topology. Utilizing a network management module of a network concentrator as a centralized functional base, unauthorized Data Terminal Elements (DTEs) may be prevented from transmitting messages on a network. By providing a centrally located means by which a set of unique DTE addresses can be associated with a particular port on the network concentrator, valid DTE addresses can be associated with a message packet that contains the address of the transmitting DTE. If the DTE address matches those associated with the port from which it was received, the message packet is authorized. If the DTE address does not match those addresses associated with from which it was received, the message packet is unauthorized. When an unauthorized message packet is received, the port from which the frame was received, is partitioned. The centralized approach utilizing a network manager as a functional base has certain advantages in comparison to distributed security implementations. Such advantages include lower cost and the ease of using existing network management functionality.

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First Claim