Abstract: A method, apparatus, and instructions for establishing a virtual communication channel between applications on different nodes in which one node may be using a communication protocol stack based on one protocol, such as SS7, and another node may be using a communication protocol stack based on another protocol, such as IP. Alternatively, a virtual communication channel may be provided between applications on different nodes in which both nodes use a communication protocol stack based on IP to communicate with each other, but carry SS7 traffic through the communication channel. A gateway is provided in which both SS7 and IP are supported. The gateway allows for logical transport of signaling messages between peer applications on different nodes. Messages for SS7 are placed in data packets for transport to a destination using an IP connection or link to the destination. Header information also is placed into the data packet to allow for routing of the messages when the packet is received at the destination.

Abstract: A system and method for seamless interaction between a wireless local network (WLAN) and a wireless packet data network is presented herein. A wireless content switch is placed between the WLAN and wireless packet data network. The wireless content switch authenticates the wireless clients of the WLAN and assists nodes in the wireless packet data in authenticating the wireless client.