Abstract: A gateway routes a packet from a user to a connected network utilizing a per-user routing table. A source address is extracted from the packet; a per-user routing table corresponding to the source address is found, the per-user routing table contains entries corresponding to one or more currently accessible networks for the user and the range of network addresses corresponding to the currently accessible networks; a destination address is extracted from the packet; an entry in the matching per-user routing table with a range of network addresses containing the destination address is sought; the packet is routed to a matching network if the destination address is contained within one of the ranges of network addresses for the currently accessible networks (“ranges”); and the packet is routed to a default network if the destination address is not contained within one of the ranges. Different users may access a different set of networks and select a desired network for access.

Abstract: Multiple simultaneous network connections from a single PPP connection may be accomplished by utilizing a gateway in the following manner. A first network connection is established between the gateway and a first network. A first real network address for the user is then received, the first real network address assigned by the first network. Then, the gateway may establish a network session between the gateway and a second network and receive a second real network address for the user, the second real network address assigned by the second network. A virtual network address may be assigned to the user for network address translation purposes. Additional network connections may be added in a similar manner. Network address translation is then performed on packets traveling between the user and any of the network sessions. This allows each of the simultaneous network connections to gain the benefits of network address translation.

Abstract: Certain bits of a packet, such as bits in the IP header of an IP packet, are used to designate the type of service or Quality of Service (QoS) level to be afforded to the packet as it passes through a data communications network. A user entitled to a certain QoS level logs into a service selection gateway SSG. The SSG queries an authentication, authorization and accounting (AAA) server in response to a log-in attempt by the user. Upon authorization, the AAA server returns an access accept signal in addition to an indication from the user's service profile (user profile) as to the QoS level to be afforded the user. While the user is logged in, all packets are routed through the SSG. The SSG sets the certain bits of the packet in accordance with the user's assigned QoS level so that as the packets are routed through the data communications network, they are consistently afforded the assigned Quality of Service level.

Abstract: A gateway is provided which routes a packet sent from a user to a connected network utilizing a per-user routing table. This is accomplished by extracting a source address from the packet; finding a per-user routing table corresponding to the source address, the per-user routing table containing entries corresponding to one or more currently accessible networks for the user and the range of network addresses corresponding to the currently accessible networks; extracting a destination address from the packet; seeking an entry in the matching per-user routing table with a range of network addresses containing the destination address; routing the packet to a matching network if the destination address is contained within one of the ranges of network addresses for the currently accessible networks; and routing the packet to a default network if the destination address is not contained within one of the ranges of network addresses for the currently accessible networks.

Abstract: A method for providing single step log-on access for a subscriber to a computer network. The computer network is differentiated into public and private areas. Secure access to the private areas is provided by a Service Selection Gateway (SSG) Server, introduced between a conventional Network Access Server (NAS) and an Authentication Authorization and Accounting (AAA) Server. The SSG Server intercepts and manipulates packets of data exchanged between the NAS and the AAA Server to obtain all the information it needs to automatically log the user on when the user logs on to the NAS. An authorized user is thus spared the task of having to re-enter username and password data or launch a separate application in order to gain secure access to private areas of the network.

Abstract: Certain bits of a packet, such as bits in the IP header of an IP packet, are used to designate the type of service or Quality of Service (QoS) level to be afforded to the packet as it passes through a data communications network. A user entitled to a certain QoS level logs into a service selection gateway SSG. The SSG queries an authentication, authorization and accounting (AAA) server in response to a log-in attempt by the user. Upon authorization, the AAA server returns an access accept signal in addition to an indication from the user's service profile (user profile) as to the QoS level to be afforded the user. While the user is logged in, all packets are routed through the SSG. The SSG sets the certain bits of the packet in accordance with the user's assigned QoS level so that as the packets are routed through the data communications network, they are consistently afforded the assigned Quality of Service level.

Abstract: A method for providing single step log-on access for a subscriber to a computer network. The computer network is differentiated into public and private areas. Secure access to the private areas is provided by a Service Selection Gateway (SSG) Server, introduced between a conventional Network Access Server (NAS) and an Authentication Authorization and Accounting (AAA) Server. The SSG Server intercepts and manipulates packets of data exchanged between the NAS and the AAA Server to obtain all the information it needs to automatically log the user on when the user logs on to the NAS. An authorized user is thus spared the task of having to re-enter username and password data or launch a separate application in order to gain secure access to private areas of the network.

Abstract: Multiple simultaneous network connections from a single PPP connection may be accomplished by utilizing a gateway in the following manner. A first network connection is established between the gateway and a first network. A first real network address for the user is then received, the first real network address assigned by the first network. Then, the gateway may establish a network session between the gateway and a second network and receive a second real network address for the user, the second real network address assigned by the second network. A virtual network address may be assigned to the user for network address translation purposes. Additional network connections may be added in a similar manner. Network address translation is then performed on packets traveling between the user and any of the network sessions. This allows each of the simultaneous network connections to gain the benefits of network address translation.

Abstract: A gateway is provided which routes a packet sent from a user to the connected network which would maximize the chances that the packet arrives at its destination in the quickest way possible.

Abstract: Multiple simultaneous network connections from a single PPP connection may be accomplished. A primary PPP connection is established between a user and a first network. A first real network address for the user is then received, the first real network address assigned by the first network. Then, the gateway may establish a secondary network session between a gateway and a second network, receiving a second real network address assigned by the second network. Additional network connections may be added as secondary network sessions. Network address translation is then performed on packets traveling between the user and any of the secondary network sessions, but not on packets traveling between the user and the primary PPP connection. This allows for connection to multiple networks without disturbing the primary PPP session and also allows for the utilization of applications which may not be used with network address translation on the primary PPP session.

Abstract: Multiple simultaneous network connections from a single PPP connection may be accomplished. A primary PPP connection is established between a user and a first network. A first real network address for the user is then received, the first real network address assigned by the first network. Then, the gateway may establish a secondary network session between a gateway and a second network, receiving a second real network address assigned by the second network. Additional network connections may be added as secondary network sessions. Network address translation is then performed on packets traveling between the user and any of the secondary network sessions, but not on packets traveling between the user and the primary PPP connection. This allows for connection to multiple networks without disturbing the primary PPP session and also allows for the utilization of applications which may not be used with network address translation on the primary PPP session.

Abstract: A method for providing single step log-on access for a subscriber to a computer network. The computer network is differentiated into public and private areas. Secure access to the private areas is provided by a Service Selection Gateway (SSG) Server, introduced between a conventional Network Access Server (NAS) and an Authentication Authorization and Accounting (AAA) Server. The SSG Server intercepts and manipulates packets of data exchanged between the NAS and the AAA Server to obtain all the information it needs to automatically log the user on when the user logs on to the NAS. An authorized user is thus spared the task of having to re-enter username and password data or launch a separate application in order to gain secure access to private areas of the network.

Abstract: An information broker is provided which receives information regarding the updating of IP addresses and distributes the information to subscribing Domain Name Service (DNS) or Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) servers. A list of subscribing servers is maintained by the broker. The broker may broadcast information regarding the allocation of a IP addresses to subscribing DNS servers, which then may be added to the DNS databases or the database may be updated with the new information. The broker may also broadcast information regarding the revocation of IP addresses to subscribing DNS servers, which may then be used to clear DNS entries in the database. Revocation of dynamically allocated IP addresses in networks with multiple DHCP servers may also be simplified by using the broker, where the broker broadcasts information regarding the revocation of IP addresses to subscribing DHCP servers.