Abstract: A privately addressed home network bridge is provided for each of two privately addressed home networks. These bridges couple to corresponding gateways for each of the networks. A network tunnel connection is established between the two bridges via the gateways and an intervening publicly addressed network. At least one, and preferably both, of the home network bridges then serve as a proxy/router to facilitate an exchange of messages as between network devices of the two privately addressed home networks. Pursuant to a preferred approach the home network bridges use a mapping technique to correlate private addresses as used in the two privately addressed networks.

Abstract: A Universal Plug and Play relationship is established between platforms that comprise parts of separate local networks. A link is provided via that Universal Plug and Play relationship to then facilitate Universal Plug and Play-compatible communications as between elements that do not, in fact, share a common local network.