Abstract: An example system includes at least one switchboard node coupled to a network, a first device coupled to the network and a second device coupled to the network. The first device may send a request for a service, the requested service being one of a plurality of offered services. The request for the service may be associated with the second device. The switchboard node may be to receive the request for service; identify security requirements associated with the requested service, the security requirements being at least one security requirement from a plurality of security requirements, wherein different ones of the plurality of offered services are associated with different ones of the plurality of security requirements; determine that the identified security requirements are satisfied; and fulfill the request for the service upon determining that the identified security requirements are satisfied.

Abstract: A system and method and computer program product for encrypting data communications comprising the generation of a salt at a data transmitting system and combination of the salt with a primary encryption key known at the data transmitting system and a data receiving system. The salt and the primary encryption key are hashed to produce a transmitting encryption key and a data message is encrypted with an encryption function utilizing the transmitting encryption key to produce a ciphertext message. The salt and the ciphertext message are transmitted to the data receiving system where the salt and the primary encryption key are hashed to produce a receiving decryption key and the data message is retrieved by performing a symmetrical decryption function on the ciphertext message and the receiving decryption key.

Abstract: A network system includes end nodes which are connected to a plurality of cascaded hubs. A two priority protocol is provided for selecting end nodes to send network packets over the network. When at least one end node in the network system has a high priority network packet to send, each end node with a high priority network packet is acknowledged in turn. Each end node, when acknowledged, sends its high priority network packet through the network. When no end nodes have a high priority network packet, and at least one end node in the network system has a normal priority network packet to send, each end node with a normal priority network packet is acknowledged in turn. This includes a root hub acknowledging in turn each second level hub which is connected to an end node which has a normal priority network packet to send. Each second level hub, when acknowledged, proceeds to acknowledge in turn each end node which is connected to the second level hub and which has a normal priority network packet.