Abstract: A communication management system receives, from a local cellular network operator, a communication indicating that a payment has been made to the local cellular network operator for a mobile device using a local communication profile. The communication management system identifies, based on the local communication profile, a home communication profile of the mobile device. The home communication profile is associated with a home cellular network operator that is distinct from the local cellular network operator. The communication management system sends, to the home cellular network operator, a request to add funds to a prepaid account that is associated with the home communication profile of the mobile device.

Abstract: The mobile device stores a plurality of communication profiles comprising one or more local communication profiles and a global communication profile. The mobile device determines local access requirements for connecting to a local cellular network operator and determines whether the plurality of communication profiles comprises a local communication profile that satisfies the local access requirements. When the plurality of communication profiles does not comprise a local communication profile that satisfies the local access requirements: the mobile device connects to a global cellular network operator using the global communication profile; receives, from the global cellular network operator, a new local communication profile that satisfies the local access requirements and connects to the local cellular network operator using the new local communication profile.

Abstract: The mobile device stores a plurality of communication profiles comprising one or more local communication profiles and a global communication profile. The mobile device determines local access requirements for connecting to a local cellular network operator and determines whether the plurality of communication profiles comprises a local communication profile that satisfies the local access requirements. When the plurality of communication profiles does not comprise a local communication profile that satisfies the local access requirements: the mobile device connects to a global cellular network operator using the global communication profile; receives, from the global cellular network operator, a new local communication profile that satisfies the local access requirements and connects to the local cellular network operator using the new local communication profile.

Abstract: The mobile device stores a plurality of communication profiles comprising one or more local communication profiles and a global communication profile. The mobile device determines local access requirements for connecting to a local cellular network operator and determines whether the plurality of communication profiles comprises a local communication profile that satisfies the local access requirements. When the plurality of communication profiles does not comprise a local communication profile that satisfies the local access requirements: the mobile device connects to a global cellular network operator using the global communication profile; receives, from the global cellular network operator, a new local communication profile that satisfies the local access requirements and connects to the local cellular network operator using the new local communication profile.

Abstract: The mobile device stores a plurality of communication profiles comprising one or more local communication profiles and a global communication profile. The mobile device determines local access requirements for connecting to a local cellular network operator and determines whether the plurality of communication profiles comprises a local communication profile that satisfies the local access requirements. When the plurality of communication profiles does not comprise a local communication profile that satisfies the local access requirements: the mobile device connects to a global cellular network operator using the global communication profile; receives, from the global cellular network operator, a new local communication profile that satisfies the local access requirements and connects to the local cellular network operator using the new local communication profile.

Abstract: A request is received to establish a VPN session with a server-side system from at least one client computer out of a plurality of client computers coupled to a modem within a client-side system. The request contains login details for a user of the at least one client computer. A network address, such as an IP (Internet Protocol) or MAC (Media Access Control) address of the at least one client computer is then determined. The user is authenticated based on the user login details, and a VPN tunnel is established over the modem between the at least one client computer having the network address and the server-side system. The same method is then used for the remainder of the plurality of client computers coupled to the modem within the client-side system.

Abstract: Data is received by a service provider that is indicative of a selected server-side system and a selected client-side system between which a VPN is to be established. Security settings are then automatically determined for the client-side system based at least partially on the data. The security settings are preferably public and private keys and/or a Digital Certificate. VPN configuration details, including the security settings, are then automatically transmitted to the client-side system. The client side system then uses the configuration details to automatically configure itself to establish a secure VPN tunnel between the server-side system and itself. VPN configuration details may also be automatically transmitted to a VPN concentrator within the server-side system. A Virtual Private Network tunnel is subsequently established between the client-side system and the server-side system, and the tunnel's operation verified. A computer program product for configuring a VPN system is also provided.

Abstract: A host name query is received by a modem from a client computer. The host name query is simultaneously transmitted from the modem to a plurality of Domain Name System (DNS) servers. A response is returned to the client computer from the modem, where the response is based on the host name query and any responses received from the DNS servers. In a preferred embodiment at least one address associated with the host name query is acquired from the DNS servers. The client computer then sends a request for content to the address. If more than one address is returned, all but one of the addresses is eliminated. This can be done by rejecting all but the most recent address, or rejecting all addresses not provided by a service provider DNS server.

Abstract: A request is received to establish a VPN session with a server-side system from at least one client computer out of a plurality of client computers coupled to a modem within a client-side system. The request contains login details for a user of the at least one client computer. A network address, such as an IP (Internet Protocol) or MAC (Media Access Control) address of the at least one client computer is then determined. The user is authenticated based on the user login details, and a VPN tunnel is established over the modem between the at least one client computer having the network address and the server-side system. The same method is then used for the remainder of the plurality of client computers coupled to the modem within the client-side system.

Abstract: Data is received by a service provider that is indicative of a selected server-side system and a selected client-side system between which a VPN is to be established. Security settings are then automatically determined for the client-side system based at least partially on the data. The security settings are preferably public and private keys and/or a Digital Certificate. VPN configuration details, including the security settings, are then automatically transmitted to the client-side system. The client side system then uses the configuration details to automatically configure itself to establish a secure VPN tunnel between the server-side system and itself. VPN configuration details may also be automatically transmitted to a VPN concentrator within the server-side system. A Virtual Private Network tunnel is subsequently established between the client-side system and the server-side system, and the tunnel's operation verified. A computer program product for configuring a VPN system is also provided.

Abstract: A host name query is received by a modem from a client computer. The host name query is simultaneously transmitted from the modem to a plurality of Domain Name System (DNS) servers. A response is returned to the client computer from the modem, where the response is based on the host name query and any responses received from the DNS servers. In a preferred embodiment at least one address associated with the host name query is acquired from the DNS servers. The client computer then sends a request for content to the address. If more than one address is returned, all but one of the addresses is eliminated. This can be done by rejecting all but the most recent address, or rejecting all addresses not provided by a service provider DNS server.