Nortel Networks 2300 manual Public and Private Keys

Managing Keys and Certificates 383

Public and Private Keys

Nortel’s identity-based networking uses public key cryptography to enforce the privacy of data transmitted over the network. Using public-private key pairs, users and devices can send encrypted messages that only the intended receiver can decrypt.

Before exchanging messages, each party in a transaction creates a key pair that includes the public and private keys. The public key encrypts data and verifies digital signatures, and the corresponding private key decrypts data and generates digital signatures. Public keys are freely exchanged as part of digital certificates. Private keys are stored securely.

Nortel WLAN Security Switch 2300 Series Configuration Guide