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Abstract

A method for generating a network address, called a multi-key cryptographically generated address (MCGA), enables the network address to be claimed and defended by multiple network devices. The network address can be generated by (a) obtaining a cryptographically generated identifier using public keys corresponding to the network devices, and (b) applying an address generation function to the cryptographically generated identifier. The address generation function may be a one-way coding function or cryptographic hash of the public keys from all hosts that will advertise or claim the right to use the address. A message that claims authority over the MCGA may include an encrypted digest of the message which is encrypted using the private key of the sender. Authentication of the sender may be achieved by obtaining a test digest from the message using the digest function, decrypting the encrypted digest, and comparing the decrypted digest to the test digest. The signature is generated with only the private key of the host sending the message, but requires the public keys of all the network devices claiming authority to verify.

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First Claim