Method and system for exchanging data over networks using public key encryption

A computer useable medium having computer useable code embodied therein for causing a computer to perform operations comprising:

• generating a public/private key pair of a network peripheral;
• exposing the public key of the network peripheral in a network management protocol;
• accessing encrypted configuration data from a remote network protocol tool;
• decrypting configuration data with the private key of the network peripheral;
• and
• applying decrypted network configuration data to the configuration of the network peripheral;
• wherein the configuration data is received in cipher text by the network peripheral.

A computer system comprising:

• a bus;
• a computer readable memory unit connected to said bus;
• a processor coupled to said bus said processor for executing a method for implementing an application comprising the steps of:
• creating a public/private key pair of a network peripheral;
• transmitting the public key of the network peripheral in a network management protocol;
• receiving encrypted configuration data from a remote network management protocol tool;
• decrypting configuration data with the private key of the network peripheral;
• and
• applying decrypted network configuration data to the configuration of the network peripheral, wherein the public key is exposed in plain text and the configuration data is received in cipher text.