# File lib/openid/server.rb, line 513
    def create_association(assoc_type)
      return nil unless assoc_type == 'HMAC-SHA1'
      
      secret = OpenID::Util.get_random_bytes(20)
      uniq = OpenID::Util.to_base64(OpenID::Util.get_random_bytes(4))
      handle = "{%s}}{%x}{%s}" % [assoc_type, Time.now.to_i, uniq]
      assoc = Association.from_expires_in(@@SECRET_LIFETIME,
                                          handle,
                                          secret,
                                          assoc_type)
      return assoc
                                          
    end