Method and apparatus for authorizing execution for applications in a data processing system

A data processing system for authorizing execution of an application on the data processing system, the data processing system comprising:

• a bus system;
• a memory connected to the bus system;
• a communications adapter connected to the bus system;
• and
• a processor connected to the bus system, wherein the processor executes the set of instructions to receive a request through the communications adapter to execute the application, wherein the request originates from a remote data processing system and wherein the request includes a digital certificate and the application;
• verify the digital certificate in response to receiving the request;
• calculate a digital digest for the application to form a calculated digital digest in response to verifying the digital certificate;
• compare the calculated digital digest with a set of digital digests from a trusted source;
• and execute the application if a match between the calculated digital digest and set of digital digests occurs.

A data processing system for authorizing execution of an application on the data processing system, the data processing system comprising:

• receiving means for receiving a request to execute the application, wherein the request originates from a remote data processing system and wherein the request includes a digital certificate and the application;
• verifying means for verifying the digital certificate in response to receiving the request;
• calculating means, responsive to verifying the digital certificate, for calculating a digital digest for the application to form a calculated digital digest;
• comparing means for comparing the calculated digital digest with a set of digital digests from a trusted source;
• and
• executing means for executing the application if a match between the calculated digital digest and set of digital digests occurs.

A computer program product in a computer readable medium for authorizing execution of an application on a data processing system, the computer program product comprising:

• first instructions for receiving a request to execute the application, wherein the request originates from a remote data processing system and wherein the request includes a digital certificate and the application;
• second instructions for verifying the digital certificate in response to receiving the request;
• third instructions, responsive to verifying the digital certificate, for calculating a digital digest for the application to form a calculated digital digest;
• fourth instructions for comparing the calculated digital digest with a set of digital digests from a trusted source;
• and
• fifth instructions for executing the application if a match between the calculated digital digest and set of digital digests occurs.