Abstract: A system and method for providing connectivity to a foreign network for a device configured for communication over a home network without reconfiguring the device include intercepting packets transmitted by the device, selectively modifying intercepted packets which are incompatible with the foreign network to be compatible with network settings of the foreign network, and selectively providing network services for the device corresponding to network services available on the home network to reduce the delay associated with accessing the network services from the foreign network, or to provide network services otherwise inaccessible from the foreign network. Network services are provided by or through a configuration adapter connected to the device or to the foreign network.

Abstract: Integrated Bandwidth Latency Scheduler apparatus, method and system (collectively, IBLS) combines Fair Queuing and Priority Schedulers in a single stage to provide bandwidth fairness guarantees as well as latency prioritization. The IBLS includes a scheduler and process that dequeues packets from multiple queues in an order based upon an algorithm of the IBLS that arranges and dequeues those queues having the highest priority based on content therein. The IBLS also utilizes quotas and deficit counters to ensure that packets from each source receive their fair portion of the outgoing link bandwidth. To determine which first in first out queue an incoming data packet is placed, the enqueue agent utilized by the present invention classifies incoming packets based on the type of data included within the data packet, the source of the packet, the type of data flow, or another attribute of the packet, such as a header associated with the packet.

Abstract: Users call ONE telephone number from their computer communication link-up. The call goes into a computer which has a large database of the many providers' access numbers. The computer identifies where the user is calling from via any identifying feature included in the invention. The computer figures out the most appropriate (e.g. cheapest/proximal/etc.) number the user should use to connect to the “Net”, which includes cost of the phone call and of the services provided by service providers. The computer then transmits this number back to the remote user, and electronically dials the local (and probably free) number to connect the user to the Net. The user may set up an account, or purchases one temporarily and gets charged for the service provided to him. Users are connected to information networks by providing a central processing station with a database including an index of network access numbers and associated charges for using the numbers.

Abstract: A method for communicating to a host information during an existing networking session. The method comprises the steps of establishing computer network access to a user's host through a gateway interface, creating information and control console packets at the gateway interface, sending the information and control console packets to the user's host, and generating an information and control console on the monitor of the user's host that comprises data. The data will typically comprise user-specific data based upon a user's profile, the chosen billing scheme, the chosen service level or the location from which the user desires access. The gateway interface is capable of transparently connecting the user/subscriber to multiple networks without the need to reconfigure the user's host computer. The information and control console allows the gateway administrator to provide information to the user/subscriber.

Abstract: An intelligent network address translation system and methods for intelligent network address translation. The invention analyzes all data packets being communicated between the private address relam and the public address realm and performs a predefined mode of network address translation based on the packet type. By analyzing every packet that the network encounters and adjusting the network address translation mode based on the packet type, the system and method of the present invention is able to adjust the mode of network address translation dynamically during a network user's ongoing network session. Additionaly, by basing which mode of translation will be employed based on packet type the translation method of the present invention insures that IP addresses are distributed efficiently and distribution of the amount of addresses is minimized.

Abstract: Systems and methods for dynamically creating new users having transparent computer access to a destination network, wherein the users otherwise have access to a home network through home network settings resident on the users' computers, and wherein the users can access the destination network without altering the home network settings. The system includes a gateway device for receiving a request from a user for access to the destination network, a user profile database comprising stored access information and in communication with the gateway device, and an Authentication, Authorization and Accounting (AAA) server in communication with the gateway device and user profile database. The AAA server determines if user is entitled to access the destination network based upon the access information stored within the user profile database, and wherein the AAA server redirects the user to a login page where the access information does not indicate the user's right to access the destination network.

Abstract: Integrated Bandwidth Latency Scheduler apparatus, method and system (collectively, IBLS) combines Fair Queuing and Priority Schedulers in a single stage to provide bandwidth fairness guarantees as well as latency prioritization. The IBLS includes a scheduler and process that dequeues packets from multiple queues in an order based upon an algorithm of the IBLS that arranges and dequeues those queues having the highest priority based on content therein. The IBLS also utilizes quotas and deficit counters to ensure that packets from each source receive their fair portion of the outgoing link bandwidth. To determine which first in first out queue an incoming data packet is placed, the enqueue agent utilized by the present invention classifies incoming packets based on the type of data included within the data packet, the source of the packet, the type of data flow, or another attribute of the packet, such as a header associated with the packet.

Abstract: A network usage monitoring module is provided for monitoring network usage at a network access point, i.e. network traffic aggregation point, typically at a gateway device or a similar network interface device. As such, the network usage monitoring module can monitor the usage of a number of network users who are attempting to access various network services provided via the gateway device. Thus, the usage information collected by the usage monitoring module is considerably more robust than that offered by conventional monitoring techniques. As such, the information is considerably more valuable to network service providers, network users, network beneficiaries and the like. In addition, the usage monitoring method and apparatus offers a number of particular features to improve the monitoring process as well as the value of the usage information that is collected.

Abstract: A nomadic router or translator enables a laptop computer or other portable terminal which is configured to be connected to a home network to be connected to any location on the internet or other digital data communication system. The router automatically and transparently re-configures the terminal to its new location and processes outgoing and incoming data. The router includes a processor which appears as the home network to the terminal, and appears as the terminal to the communication system. The terminal has a permanent address, the router has a router or translator address, and the terminal transmits outgoing data to the system including the permanent address as a source address. The processor translates the outgoing data by replacing the permanent address with the router address as the source address.