Generating unique random strings as element identifiers

A node for generating a unique identifier, the node configured for use within a hierarchal tree of a plurality of nodes, each node of the plurality of nodes being a unique network node, the hierarchical tree having a plurality of levels, the node comprising:

• a communications interface;
• and
• processing circuitry in communication with the communications interface, the processing circuitry comprising:
• a processor;
• and
• a memory, the memory in communication with the processor, the memory having instructions that, when executed by the processor, configure the processor to:
• obtain, from the communications interface, a first limit condition from a higher level node of the plurality of nodes in the hierarchal tree;
• generate the identifier;
• apply a function to the generated identifier;
• verify that an output of the function satisfies the limit condition;
• determine a second limitation condition for at least one lower level node of the plurality of nodes in the hierarchal tree, the second limit condition being different from the first limit condition;
• and
• the communication interface configured to send the second limit condition to the at least one lower level node of the plurality of nodes of the hierarchal tree.

A method, at an identifier authorizing entity, for generating a unique identifier at a node in a hierarchal tree having a plurality of nodes, each node of the plurality of nodes being a unique network node, the hierarchical tree arranged in a plurality of levels, the method comprising:

• assigning an identifier to a root note of the plurality of nodes in the hierarchal tree;
• assigning a first limit condition to at least one lower level node of the plurality of nodes in the hierarchal tree;
• generating the identifier for the at least one lower level node of the plurality of nodes in the hierarchal tree;
• applying a function to the generated identifier;
• verifying that an output of the function satisfies the first limit condition;
• assigning a second limit condition to at least one lower level node of the plurality of nodes in the hierarchal tree, the second limit condition being different from the first limit condition;
• and
• sending the second limit condition to the at least one lower level node of the plurality of nodes in the hierarchal tree.

An identifier authorizing entity for generating a unique identifier at a node in a hierarchal tree having a plurality of nodes, each node of the plurality of nodes being a unique network node, the hierarchical tree arranged in a plurality of levels, the identifier authorizing entity comprising:

• a communications interface;
• and
• processing circuitry in communication with the communications interface, the processing circuitry comprising:
• a processor;
• and
• a memory, the memory in communication with the processor, the memory having instructions that, when executed by the processor, configure the processor to:
• assign an identifier to a root node of the plurality of nodes in the hierarchal tree;
• assign a first limit condition to at least one lower level node of the plurality of nodes in the hierarchal tree;
• generate the identifier for the at least one lower level node of the plurality of nodes in the hierarchal tree;
• apply a function to the generated identifier;
• verify that an output of the function satisfies the first limit condition;
• assign a second limit condition to at least one lower level node of the plurality of nodes in the hierarchal tree, the second limit condition being different from the first limit condition;
• and
• the communications interface configured to send the second limit condition to the at least one lower level node of the plurality of nodes in the hierarchal tree.