ProtectToolkit ESA

SafeNet Inc's ESAPI is high level application programming interface that enables the functions of the encryption adapters to be accessible to application software. The ESAPI software consists of an encryption driver plus a range of 'C' language callable functions and is adapter and operating system independent. The APIs support Microsoft 'C' and Borland Turbo 'C' source languages. Other compilers which accept Microsoft object libraries should be compatible.

ESAPI provides dynamic linked library support for OS/2 2.x 3.0, Windows 3.x, and Windows NT. Static linked libraries are available for SCO UNIX and MS-DOS environments. The same source code will work with all forms of APIs without modification. ESAPI is re-entrant at the process and thread levels on operating systems where this is supported.

At present the choice of hardware platform is limited to IBM PC compatible systems. In principle, these adapters will work in any system that has an appropriate bus installed. Compatible drivers for systems other than IBM PC compatibles are not yet available.

The adapters provide a DES cryptographic processor, tamper resistant on-board memory for storage of keys and other data, and a Real Time Clock which is independent of the host system's clock.