Abstract: A common BGP framework is provided to achieve VPN information discovery in network based VPNs using modifications to existing BGP-4 multiprotocol extension path attributes. The framework allow each VPN to implement different OSI layer-2 or layer-3 protocols, and to implement different OSI layer-2 or layer-3 protocols from those used by the backbone of the shared network. The extensions added to BGP-4 apply both to Virtual Router (VR) models of VPN systems and to non-VR models.

Abstract: Performing an authentication of a subscriber in a communication system comprising at least two subsystems is disclosed, the authentication of the subscriber requiring authentications of the subscriber in any of the subsystems, the method performing a bundled subscriber authentication by using an authentication in a first one of the subsystems for an authentication in a second one of the subsystems.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, browser plug-in includes a personal content tunnel (PCT) object processor, a PCT resolution module, and a server interface. The PCT object processor processes a PCT object returned by a content server in response to a request from a client. The PCT object contains PCT information. The PCT resolution module resolves a service uniform resource identifier (URI) using the PCT information according to a PCT resolution protocol. The service URI identifies a PCT resolution server. The server interface receives a content URI and a PCT termination point resolved by the PCT resolution server.