Abstract: An approach for providing secure communication services is disclosed. A secure data tunnel from a source node to a destination node is established via a plurality of secure segments across a data communications network. A data path is established via the secure data tunnel, where the data path supports a performance enhancing mechanism that improves performance of data communications over the data path. The performance enhancing mechanism multiplexes data packet flows from the source node for transmission over the data path, and performs one or more of connection startup latency reduction, acknowledgment message spoofing, window sizing adjustment, compression and selective retransmission.

Abstract: An approach for providing secure communication services is disclosed. A secure data tunnel from a source node to a destination node is established via a plurality of secure segments across a data communications network. A data path is established via the secure data tunnel, where the data path supports a performance enhancing mechanism that improves performance of data communications over the data path. The performance enhancing mechanism multiplexes data packet flows from the source node for transmission over the data path, and performs one or more of connection startup latency reduction, acknowledgment message spoofing, window sizing adjustment, compression and selective retransmission.

Abstract: An approach for providing secure communication services is disclosed. A secure (e.g., a Virtual Private Network (VPN)) tunnel from a source node over an access network, such as a satellite network, to a destination node, wherein the nodes are external to the network. A connection that supports a mechanism for enhancing performance of the network is established for a portion of the secure tunnel that traverses the network.

Abstract: An approach for adaptively providing network performance enhancing functions in a secure environment, such as a virtual private network, is disclosed. Traffic, for example, Internet Protocol (IP) packets, is received for transport over an access network (e.g., satellite network). Next, characteristics (e.g., latency) of the access network are determined. A connection (which supports the performance enhancing functions) is selectively established based on the determined characteristics for transport the received packets over the access network. An encrypted tunnel is provided over the established connection to transmit the received packets.

Abstract: An approach for supporting security in a communications network is disclosed. A network device includes a security peer that establishes a secure tunnel over a data network (e.g., satellite network) for transport of encrypted traffic. The device also includes a performance peer for establishing a connection supported by the secure tunnel. The performance peer includes a plurality of modules for providing respective performance enhancing functions to minimize performance impact of latency of the network.

Abstract: An approach for adaptively providing network performance enhancing functions in a secure environment, such as a virtual private network, is disclosed. Traffic, for example, Internet Protocol (IP) packets, is received for transport over an access network (e.g., satellite network). Next, characteristics (e.g., latency) of the access network are determined. A connection (which supports the performance enhancing functions) is selectively established based on the determined characteristics for transport the received packets over the access network. An encrypted tunnel is provided over the established connection to transmit the received packets.

Abstract: An approach for adaptively providing network performance enhancing functions in a secure environment, such as a virtual private network, is disclosed. Traffic, for example, Internet Protocol (IP) packets, is received for transport over an access network (e.g., satellite network). Next, characteristics (e.g., latency) of the access network are determined. A connection (which supports the performance enhancing functions) is selectively established based on the determined characteristics for transport the received packets over the access network. An encrypted tunnel is provided over the established connection to transmit the received packets.

Abstract: An approach for enhancing performance of an access network (e.g., a satellite network) in a secure environment (e.g., Virtual Private Network (VPN)) is disclosed. A plurality of connections is established with respective peer nodes over the network. Each of the peers is configured to provide performance enhancing functions for the network via the connections. The approach enables selection of one of the connections, such that the selected connection includes a secure tunnel to the peer associated with the selected connection.

Abstract: An approach for supporting security in a communications network is disclosed. A network device includes a security peer that establishes a secure tunnel over a data network (e.g., satellite network) for transport of encrypted traffic. The device also includes a performance peer for establishing a connection supported by the secure tunnel. The performance peer includes a plurality of modules for providing respective performance enhancing functions to minimize performance impact of latency of the network.

Abstract: An approach for adaptively providing network performance enhancing functions in a secure environment, such as a virtual private network, is disclosed. Traffic, for example, Internet Protocol (IP) packets, is received for transport over an access network (e.g., satellite network). Next, characteristics (e.g., latency) of the access network are determined. A connection (which supports the performance enhancing functions) is selectively established based on the determined characteristics for transport the received packets over the access network. An encrypted tunnel is provided over the established connection to transmit the received packets.

Abstract: An approach for providing secure communication services is disclosed. A secure (e.g., a Virtual Private Network (VPN)) tunnel from a source node over an access network, such as a satellite network, to a destination node, wherein the nodes are external to the network. A connection that supports a mechanism for enhancing performance of the network is established for a portion of the secure tunnel that traverses the network.

Abstract: A satellite communication system including an interface device for distributing satellite signals received from an outdoor unit (ODU) to a plurality of indoor units (IDUs) connected to a local area network (LAN), at a particular site. Only two cables, a power cable and a cable connected to the LAN, must be installed between the interface device and the site containing the IDUs. Accordingly, the installation of IDUs at a site is simplified and has the flexibility of allowing future satellite based services to be added without requiring the installation of new cables between the ODU and the IDUs. The satellite communication system also permit flexibility among connected devices, including to which other devices they are connected, how they are connected to other devices and what types of connections are used.