Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system are described for a central station to allocate virtual IP addresses. A device service manager server (DSM) has a network access module conFigured to cooperate with two or more device service controllers (DSCs). The DSM serves as a central management station for allocating and assigning Virtual IP addresses to network devices to proxy communications for networked devices on a local area network (LAN) where each DSC resides. The DSM is located exterior from the network devices on the LAN where communications associated with the assigned VIP addresses are being routed to. The DSM assigns a Virtual IP Addresses to each DSC and establishes a route from the assigned Virtual IP address to a destination network device on a LAN, based on corresponding DSC and network device information stored in a registry of the DSM.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system are described for accessing networked devices without accessible network addresses via Virtual IP (VIP) addresses. The system consists of a soft Device Services Controller (DSC), downloaded on a first local network from the device service manager (DSM) on a wide area network, and a VIP Access enabled device on a second local network separate from the first area network. The soft DSC and associated VIP Access enabled device create a virtual network interface and corresponding virtual IP address (VIP) to permit outgoing TCP/IP conduit connection to the DSM. When networking traffic arrives at the virtual networking interface with the associated VIP, the soft DSC automatically processes and forwards that traffic to the DSM. Using this mechanism, it is possible for two networked devices on separate networks to communicate in spite of firewalls and without knowledge of each other's network.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system are described for a central station to allocate virtual IP addresses. A device service manager server (DSM) has a network access module configured to cooperate with two or more device service controllers (DSCs). The DSM serves as a central management station for allocating and assigning Virtual IP addresses to network devices to proxy communications for networked devices on a local area network (LAN) where each DSC resides. The DSM is located exterior from the network devices on the LAN where communications associated with the assigned VIP addresses are being routed to. The DSM assigns a Virtual IP Addresses to each DSC and establishes a route from the assigned Virtual IP address to a destination network device on a LAN, based on corresponding DSC and network device information stored in a registry of the DSM.