Abstract: A markup language processing device processes markup language messages by receiving a message containing portions of tagged data formatted in a markup language and applying a transform selection rule set to at least one tagged rule selection data portion in the message to select at least one markup language transformation to apply to the tagged pre-transform data portion within the message. The markup language processing device applies the selected markup language transformation to transform the tagged pre-transform data portion to a tagged post-transform data portion according to a transformation function and then conditionally forwards the message. The markup language processing device operates on behalf of a computerized device that is not required to process the message due to operation of the at least one markup language transformation within the markup language processing device.

Abstract: A user at a remote computer is provided access to a computer network by a remote access device coupled to the network. The remote access device receives from the remote computer a username which uniquely identifies the user on the network. The remote access device then obtains an internet protocol (IP) address from a server on the network, which server dynamically assigns the IP address based on the username. The IP address uniquely identifies the remote computer on the network, and it is needed by the remote computer to communicate on the network. If the user at the remote computer disconnects, or is disconnected, from the network and then subsequently attempts to re-gain access to the network by sending the same username to either the same or a different remote access device coupled to the network, that remote access device obtains the same IP address from the server.