Modem security management – Sierra Wireless DART 200 CDPD Modem User Manual

Page 48

Advertising
background image

DART 200 CDPD Modem User’s Guide

3 CPDP Security Features

Sierra Wireless, Inc.

3-2

Modem security management

Two types of modem security are provided for the DART 200:

Personal Identification Number (PIN) - Protects against unauthorized
use of the CDPD network. A PIN can be required before the modem
can gain access to the CDPD network

Service Provider Key (SPK) - Protects against modem operating
parameters being altered. An SPK is mandatory before making
changes

The use of the PIN can be required by the service provider, although
currently none do. If not required by the carrier, you have the option of
requiring it, or leaving it disabled (this is the modem default). However,
the use of the SPK is mandatory and cannot be disabled.

The intent of the security management feature is to provide a layer of
control at the end-user level, in addition to CDPD network authentication
services, to aid in the prevention of unauthorized access to the network.

Table 3-1 summarizes the DART 200’s PIN management system. There
are four keys and six AT commands, three of which will only function
when in service provider mode, involved in the total process.

Table 3-1. Key types

Key

Description

PIN

Prevents unauthorized access to the CDPD network by
blocking commands that access the network, including the
registration command (AT\R) and the dial command (ATD).
To use these commands an authorized PIN and the AT*E
command are required. If the PIN is entered incorrectly three
times in a row it becomes BLOCKED. The default is PIN not
required.

PIN
Unblocking
Key

The AT*U command temporarily enables the PIN when it
becomes BLOCKED, allowing it to reset or change to a new
value. BLOCKED status is permanently cleared by the AT^C
command, and PIN values are reset or changed by the AT\P
command. If the PIN unblocking key is entered incorrectly 10
times in a row, it also becomes BLOCKED. The BLOCK of
the PIN Unblocking Key is also cleared by the AT^C
command.

Advertising