Method and apparatus for limiting access to network elements

An apparatus for authenticating access to a network element, comprising:

• a key generator;
• a subscriber database;
• and
• a processor coupled to the key generator and the subscriber database, the processor being adaptively configured to:
• transmit a key generated by the key generator to a plurality of network authenticator nodes,
• in response to a user request for access, examine the subscriber database to determine whether the user is authorized for the requested access, and
• transmit the request along with the key.

A method for authenticating access to a network element, comprising:

• at a key server:
• periodically transmitting a key to a plurality of network authenticator nodes, and
• in response to a request to access the network element, if the user is authorized to access the network element, transmitting the request a network element along with a most current key;
• at a network authenticator node:
• intercepting a user request addressed to the network element,
• comparing a key from the user request to a key previously received at the network authenticator node, and
• if the keys agree, passing the user request to the network element.