Abstract: A system for accessing at least one Virtual Private Network (VPN) includes a terminal, and can include at least one Security Policy Database (SPD). The terminal is capable of communicating with a VPN client and at least one application. The VPN client, in turn, is capable of defining at least one VPN access point, each VPN access point including an associated physical access point and VPN policy. Thereafter, the VPN client can access at least one VPN based upon the VPN access point(s) to thereby establish at least one data connection from at least one application across the at least one VPN. In addition, the VPN client can be capable of downloading at least one VPN policy from the SPD. A system for managing at least one Virtual Private Network (VPN) policy is also provided, where the VPN polic(ies) are for use in accessing at least one VPN.

Abstract: A system for accessing at least one Virtual Private Network (VPN) includes a terminal, and can include at least one Security Policy Database (SPD). The terminal is capable of communicating with a VPN client and at least one application. The VPN client, in turn, is capable of defining at least one VPN access point, each VPN access point including an associated physical access point and VPN policy. Thereafter, the VPN client can access at least one VPN based upon the VPN access point(s) to thereby establish at least one data connection from at least one application across the at least one VPN. In addition, the VPN client can be capable of downloading at least one VPN policy from the SPD. A system for managing at least one Virtual Private Network (VPN) policy is also provided, where the VPN polic(ies) are for use in accessing at least one VPN.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mechanism for maintaining a secure tunnel in a packet-based communication system. A secure tunnel is established between a security gateway and a mobile terminal being located at a first address in a first network, wherein the security gateway connects the first network to a second network and the mobile terminal has a second address that identifies the mobile terminal in the second network. In the gateway, the tunnel is identified based on the second address in packets destined for the mobile terminal from the second network. A change is detected in the first address of the mobile terminal and an update message including a new address value of the first address is sent to the security gateway. Based on the update message, the first address associated with the secure tunnel is updated in the security gateway.