Abstract: A mechanism that allows sharing of an existing infrastructure for access to public or private IP networks, such as the public Internet or private LANs is provided. Specifically, infrastructure owners lease the infrastructure resources on a short-term basis to different Internet Service Providers (ISPs). An ISP uses these resources to provide Internet services to subscribing customers or users. The ISP controls all aspects of the Internet service provided to the subscriber, including billing, bandwidth management, and e-mail. The ISP also ensures privacy for the subscriber by means of encryption. Leasing network resources from an existing network infrastructure frees the ISP from building an expensive access infrastructure itself while the infrastructure owner is given an opportunity to generate additional revenue from infrastructure. Importantly, neither the user, nor the ISP need to trust the access station (i.e.: the access station is untrusted) through which the access to the IP network is accomplished.

Abstract: Security mechanisms are disclosed that protect the integrity of the candidate access node discovery procedures in a mobile communication network. In accordance with an aspect of the invention, an access node stores information on candidate access nodes in the mobile communication network and updates the information only after verifying information provided by a mobile terminal after a handoff from one access node to another access node. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the information on candidate access nodes in the mobile communication network are associated with a particular mobile terminal and stored at the mobile terminal in a candidate access node list.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for enabling users to connect to a home network from a remote network using what the inventors refer to as a distributed virtual switch. An access component providing connectivity for user devices is deployed in a remote network and automatically associates packets from a user device with a switch server deployed in the user's home network. The access component dynamically establishes a communication channel with the switch server and forwards packets from the user device to the switch server, which releases the packets in the home network.

Abstract: Security mechanisms are disclosed that protect the integrity of the candidate access node discovery procedures in a mobile communication network. In accordance with an aspect of the invention, an access node stores information on candidate access nodes in the mobile communication network and updates the information only after verifying information provided by a mobile terminal after a handoff from one access node to another access node. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the information on candidate access nodes in the mobile communication network are associated with a particular mobile terminal and stored at the mobile terminal in a candidate access node list.

Abstract: A guest station on a foreign network is provided IP access by the foreign (i.e., hosting) network without changes to the guest station, including settings for IP address, next-hop-router (gateway), and netmask. An access router automatically detects guests and their home-IP-address and assigns a local care-of address to every guest. For outgoing traffic, the router replaces the guest's original/home IP address with the care-of address, and the reverse is performed for incoming traffic. IP traffic may thus be initiated, and responses received at the temporary current location without having to change its IP address.

Abstract: A mechanism that allows sharing of an existing infrastructure for access to public or private IP networks, such as the public Internet or private LANs is provided. Specifically, infrastructure owners lease the infrastructure resources on a short-term basis to different Internet Service Providers (ISPs). An ISP uses these resources to provide Internet services to subscribing customers or users. The ISP controls all aspects of the Internet service provided to the subscriber, including billing, bandwidth management, and e-mail. The ISP also ensures privacy for the subscriber by means of encryption. Leasing network resources from an existing network infrastructure frees the ISP from building an expensive access infrastructure itself while the infrastructure owner is given an opportunity to generate additional revenue from infrastructure. Importantly, neither the user, nor the ISP need to trust the access station (i.e.: the access station is untrusted) through which the access to the IP network is accomplished.