Abstract: Systems and methods for managing router configuration devices in a secure data communication network are described herein. An illustrative system includes a plurality of programmed external configuration devices and a configuration device programmer. Each programmed external configuration device contains at least a portion of a definition of a secure data path between a first router and a second router. Each programmed external configuration device can be detachably coupled to a first router to create a secure data path between the first router and a second router. The configuration device programmer writes a secure data path definition into a selected external configuration device if a predetermined number of programmed external configuration devices are coupled to the configuration device programmer.

Abstract: Systems and methods for creating and operating separate secure networks over a non-secure network are described herein. Some illustrative embodiments include a system that includes a router with one or more ports and control logic coupled to the one or more ports (the control logic capable of establishing a plurality of secure data paths with at least one other router across a network), and a plurality of external storage devices (each storage device separate from the router but capable of being detachably coupled to a port of the one or more ports, and each external storage device comprising configuration data defining one or more secure data paths of the plurality of secure data paths). Configuration data stored in a first external storage device of the plurality of external storage devices is different from configuration data stored in a second external storage device of the plurality of external storage devices.

Abstract: A network of routers is monitored by a monitoring server. Each router implements various security mechanisms to secure the operation of the routers. For example, each router comprises control logic that implements a security protocol dictated, at least in part, by contents of at least two separate external storage devices, each storage device separate from, but coupled to, one of the ports of said router.

Abstract: Systems and methods for securing a data communication network are described herein. An illustrative system includes a first router and an external storage device. The external storage device contains data that configures the first router. The external storage device is remotely coupled to the first router to configure the first router. The data that configures the first router includes the definition of a secure data path between the first router and a second router.

Abstract: Systems and methods for creating hierarchical network communications between trusted domains are described herein. An illustrative system includes a first, second, and third network. The first and second networks each include a plurality of routers, each router capable of establishing a secure data path with another router in the respective network. The third network includes a first router and a second router, each router capable of establishing a secure data path with the other router. The definition of each secure data path is provided by an external storage device that detachably couples to a router. The storage devices defining the secure data paths are unique to each router. The first and second networks communicate through the third network.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing router configuration devices in a secure data communication network are described herein. An illustrative system includes a plurality of programmed external configuration devices and a configuration device programmer. Each programmed external configuration device contains at least a portion of a definition of a secure data path between a first router and a second router. Each programmed external configuration device can be detachably coupled to a first router to create a secure data path between the first router and a second router. The configuration device programmer writes a secure data path definition into a selected external configuration device if a predetermined number of programmed external configuration devices are coupled to the configuration device programmer.

Abstract: Systems and methods for creating and operating separate secure networks over a non-secure network are described herein. Some illustrative embodiments include a system that includes a router with one or more ports and control logic coupled to the one or more ports (the control logic capable of establishing a plurality of secure data paths with at least one other router across a network), and a plurality of external storage devices (each storage device separate from the router but capable of being detachably coupled to a port of the one or more ports, and each external storage device comprising configuration data defining one or more secure data paths of the plurality of secure data paths). Configuration data stored in a first external storage device of the plurality of external storage devices is different from configuration data stored in a second external storage device of the plurality of external storage devices.

Abstract: Systems for safeguarding router configuration data are described herein. Some illustrative embodiments include a system that includes a network router, a configuration device comprising configuration data used to configure the network router, and a connector capable of detachably coupling the configuration device to the network router and further capable of detachably coupling a second device to the network router (the connector routes electrical power provided by the network router to a coupled device). The electrical power is set to a voltage level usable to operate the configuration device, while capable of rendering the second device inoperative.