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token - technical definition
- In authentication systems, a hardware device (e.g., smart card, calculator-line device, or flash drive), or software on a client computer, that stores the user's credentials and generates a one-time password. The authentication process commonly involves a challenge-response dialogue between the token and a dedicated authentication server. In conjunction with a personal identification number (PIN) and supplemental password, a token is an excellent security mechanism. See also authentication, password, and security.
- In token passing local area networks (LANs), a special signal in the form of a certain bit pattern that circulates among the connected stations. A station cannot transmit data unless it has possession of the token. See also LAN, signal, token bus, token passing, and token ring.
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