Abstract: In a telephony communication system, an operator network provides access to data networks through gateways. The gateways provide access in response to network access requests from equipment such as mobile devices. The mobile devices and gateways providing access to the networks support service-based network access requests. These service-based network access requests permit networks to manage user access based on particular services requested.

Abstract: In a telephony communication system, mobile devices request access to packet-based networks using network access requests that identify access point names associated with the networks. The mobile devices and an operator network providing access to the networks support the use of virtual access point names within network access requests. These virtual access point names need not correspond to any existing networks. Rather, network access requests incorporating virtual access point names indicate actually requested access point names within other fields of the network access requests.

Abstract: A method of load balancing network access requests comprises receiving a network access request from a serving node linked to a radio access network. The network access request identifies a mobile node receiving wireless service from the radio access network and identifies a data network to which the mobile node has requested access. The network access request requests a communication channel with the serving node for transporting data communications between the mobile node and the data network. The method further comprising determining one or more gateways providing access to the data network, selecting one of the gateways, and forwarding the network access request to the selected gateway.

Abstract: In a telephony communication system, a mobile device requests access to packet-based networks using network access requests that identify access point names associated with these networks. The mobile devices and gateways providing access to the networks support the use of virtual access point names within network access requests. These virtual access point names need not correspond to any existing networks. Rather, network access requests incorporating virtual access point names indicate actually requested access point names within other fields of the network access requests.

Abstract: Providing accounting services for a communication device includes receiving at a support node a context request to create a communication context for the communication device. An accounting request is sent to an accounting server, where the accounting request initiates accounting for the communication device. The support node waits for an accounting response from the accounting server, where the accounting response indicates that the accounting server is operational. The communication context is created for the communication device only if the accounting response is received from the accounting server.

Abstract: A method of load balancing network access requests comprises receiving a network access request from a serving node linked to a radio access network. The network access request identifies a mobile node receiving wireless service from the radio access network and identifies a data network to which the mobile node has requested access. The network access request requests a communication channel with the serving node for transporting data communications between the mobile node and the data network. The method further comprising determining one or more gateways providing access to the data network, selecting one of the gateways, and forwarding the network access request to the selected gateway.

Abstract: A method of load balancing network access requests comprises receiving a network access request from a serving node linked to a radio access network. The network access request identifies a mobile node receiving wireless service from the radio access network and identifies a data network to which the mobile node has requested access. The network access request requests a communication channel with the serving node for transporting data communications between the mobile node and the data network. The method further comprising determining one or more gateways providing access to the data network, selecting one of the gateways, and forwarding the network access request to the selected gateway.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a network behind a wireless station includes a gateway that can receive from a wireless station a request for a communications session. The gateway can determine whether to authenticate the communications session, and, in response to determining to authenticate the communications session, request from a server network addresses for network devices behind the wireless station. The gateway can receive the requested network addresses from the server, associate the received network addresses with the wireless station, and establish the communications session.

Abstract: A method of load balancing network access requests comprises receiving a network access request from a serving node linked to a radio access network. The network access request identifies a mobile node receiving wireless service from the radio access network and identifies a data network to which the mobile node has requested access. The network access request requests a communication channel with the serving node for transporting data communications between the mobile node and the data network. The method further comprising determining one or more gateways providing access to the data network, selecting one of the gateways, and forwarding the network access request to the selected gateway.

Abstract: A method of load balancing network access requests comprises receiving a network access request from a serving node linked to a radio access network. The network access request identifies a mobile node receiving wireless service from the radio access network and identifies a data network to which the mobile node has requested access. The network access request requests a communication channel with the serving node for transporting data communications between the mobile node and the data network. The method further comprising determining one or more gateways providing access to the data network, selecting one of the gateways, and forwarding the network access request to the selected gateway.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a network behind a wireless station includes a gateway that can receive from a wireless station a request for a communications session. The gateway can determine whether to authenticate the communications session, and, in response to determining to authenticate the communications session, request from a server network addresses for network devices behind the wireless station. The gateway can receive the requested network addresses from the server, associate the received network addresses with the wireless station, and establish the communications session.