System and method for secure messaging in a hybrid peer-to-peer network

Abstract

An improved system and method are disclosed for peer-to-peer communications. In one example, the method enables endpoints to securely send and receive messages to one another within a hybrid peer-to-peer environment.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for changing an encryption key in a hybrid peer-to-peer network comprising:
 receiving, by a first endpoint, an instruction to change from a first encryption key to a second encryption key;   sending, by the first endpoint, a first message to a second endpoint that the first endpoint is going to change to the second encryption key, wherein the first message is defined for use with a transactional state model and includes information representing the second encryption key;   receiving, by the first endpoint, in response to the first message, a second message from the second endpoint indicating that the second endpoint received the first message, wherein the second message is defined for use with the transactional state model;   sending, by the first endpoint, a third message to the second endpoint acknowledging receipt of the second message, wherein the third message is defined for use with the transactional state model; and   changing, by the first endpoint, from the first encryption key to the second encryption key, wherein all incoming messages for the first endpoint are to be encrypted using the second encryption key.