A system for efficiently accommodating an authentication protocol in a communications system. The system includes a first mechanism for establishing a first communications interface between a first device and a second device and for establishing a second communications interface between the second device and a third device. A second mechanism selectively relays authentication signals received by the second device between the first device and the third device. A third mechanism employs the third device and the second mechanism to authenticate the first device via the first communications link and the second communications link.