Abstract: A method of sending streamed data over an IP network from a first node 1 to a second node 4, the method comprising using Internet Key Exchange (IKE) to establish an IKE security association (SA) between the first and second nodes 1,4. A shared secret is established between the first and second nodes using the IKE SA, and the streamed data encrypted at the first node 1 with a cipher using the shared secret or a key derived using the shared secret. IP datagrams are constructed containing in their payload, segments of the encrypted streamed data, the datagrams not including an IPSec header or headers. The IP datagrams are then sent from the first node 1 to the second node 4.

Abstract: In a financial transaction validation system having target servers adapted to process at least one transaction record, a method of routing a transaction record requiring validation processing originating from a source and being forwarded electronically to a validation station to validate the financial transaction is disclosed. The method includes assigning to the transaction record an identifier having an address of the target validation server.

Abstract: A network device for implementing IPSec and comprising at least one IP forwarder (IPFW) arranged to receive IP packets each of which is associated with a Security Association (SA). The IP forwarder(s) determines the destinations of the packets, and forwards the packets to their destinations. A plurality of security procedure modules (SecProcs) are coupled to the IP forwarder(s) and are arranged to implement security procedures for received IP packets in parallel. A security controller (SC) is arranged to allocate negotiated SAs amongst the security procedure modules and to notify the security procedure modules and the IP forwarder(s) of the allocation, whereby the IP forwarder(s) can send IP packets to the security procedure module implementing the associated SA.