Flexible ethernet encryption systems and methods
AssigneeCiena Corporation
InventorsSebastien Gareau, Timothy L. Norman, Marc W. Leclair, Michael Watford
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems and methods for Physical Coding Sublayer (PCS) encryption implemented by a first network element communicatively coupled to a second network element include encrypting a Flexible Ethernet (FlexE) signal based on a first encryption key with encryption applied to a 64b/66b bit stream associated with the FlexE signal at one or more of a FlexE client layer and a FlexE shim layer; switching to a second encryption key at a predetermined point in the FlexE signal; and encrypting the FlexE signal with the second encryption key subsequent to the switching.
Claims20
A method for Physical Coding Sublayer (PCS) encryption implemented by a first network element communicatively coupled to a second network element, the method comprising:
- encrypting a Flexible Ethernet (FlexE) signal based on a first encryption key with encryption applied to a 64b/66b bit stream associated with the FlexE signal at one or more of a FlexE client layer and a FlexE shim layer;
- switching to a second encryption key at a predetermined point in the FlexE signal;
- and
- encrypting the FlexE signal with the second encryption key subsequent to the switching.
An apparatus for Physical Coding Sublayer (PCS) encryption implemented at a first network element communicatively coupled to a second network element, the apparatus comprising:
- circuitry configured to encrypt a Flexible Ethernet (FlexE) signal based on a first encryption key with encryption applied to a 64b/66b bit stream associated with the FlexE signal at one or more of a FlexE client layer and a FlexE shim layer;
- circuitry configured to switch to a second encryption key at a predetermined point in the FlexE signal;
- and
- circuitry configured to encrypt the FlexE signal with the second encryption key subsequent to the switch to the second encryption key.
A network configured for Physical Coding Sublayer (PCS) encryption, the network comprising:
- a first network element;
- and
- a second network element communicatively coupled to the first network element,
- wherein the first network element is configured to
- encrypt a Flexible Ethernet (FlexE) signal based on a first encryption key with encryption applied to a 64b/66b bit stream associated with the FlexE signal at one or more of a FlexE client layer and a FlexE shim layer;
- switch to a second encryption key at a predetermined point in the FlexE signal;
- and
- encrypt the FlexE signal with the second encryption key subsequent to the switch to the second encryption key.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.