US6061650A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for transparently providing mobile network functionality
Assignee: Nortel Networks Ltd
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Filing: 1996-09-10
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Granted: 2000-05-09
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Expires: 2016-09-10
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for transparently providing a remote node with mobile network functionality. One embodiment of the present invention includes a remote node contacting a service provider to establish a remote connection with a home network. In response, the service provider generated an authentication request, on behalf of the remote node to obtain access to the home network. The service provider then sends the authentication request to an authentication server residing at the home network. The service provider then establishes, on behalf of the remote node, a remote connection between the remote node and the home network to enable packets to be transferred between the remote node and the home network.
Inventors
- 👤 Gary Malkin
- 👤 Nancy Kossack
- 👤 Paul Raison
- 👤 Thuan Tran
- 👤 Ellis L. Wong
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 18:34
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L63/00; H04L63/08; H04L63/083; H04W; H04W12/00; H04W12/06; H04W80/00; H04W80/04; H04W88/00; H04W88/005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
135 words
A method to allow a remote node, exclusive of software capable of independently providing mobile network functionality, to establish data communication with a home network, the method comprising: a remote access server (RAS) detecting an attempt by the remote node to establish communication with the home network; the RAS authenticating the remote node through an authentication server (AS) associated with the home network, said authenticating performed transparently relative to the remote node; and the RAS initiating a tunnel connection with a gateway (GW), on behalf of the remote node, that provides access to the home network, wherein the tunnel connection enables packets associated with a first protocol to be transmitted between the remote node and the home network according to a second protocol, to establish data communication between the remote node and the home network.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
135 words
A method to allow a remote node, exclusive of software capable of independently providing mobile network functionality, to establish data communication with a home network, the method comprising: a remote access server (RAS) detecting an attempt by the remote node to establish communication with the home network; the RAS authenticating the remote node through an authentication server (AS) associated with the home network, said authenticating performed transparently relative to the remote node; and the RAS initiating a tunnel connection with a gateway (GW), on behalf of the remote node, that provides access to the home network, wherein the tunnel connection enables packets associated with a first protocol to be transmitted between the remote node and the home network according to a second protocol, to establish data communication between the remote node and the home network.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising: the RAS generating an authentication request, on behalf of the remote node, to obtain access to the home network; the RAS sending the authentication request to an authentication server (AS) residing at the home network.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 2, further comprising: the RAS providing a point-of-presence for accessing a service provider, wherein the service provider is associated with the gateway (GW) providing a connection to the home network; and the RAS including a tunnel management system (TMS).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising: the RAS receiving a connection from the remote node, wherein the connection is generated by the remote node dialing into the RAS.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
71 words
The method of claim 3, further comprising: the RAS providing the TMS with a domain name provided by the remote node; and the RAS requesting the TMS to provide the RAS with at least an address of the gateway providing the connection with the home network, an address of the authentication server residing in the home network, and an authentication protocol used by the authentication server residing in the home network.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 2, further comprising: the RAS sending the authentication request to the GW, wherein the authentication request includes at least the address of the authentication server residing in the home network.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising: the RAS receiving a response from the GW completing the tunnel connection with the RAS.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1 implemented on a switching system product.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1 implemented on a transmissions system product.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
161 words
A computer-readable medium having stored thereon a plurality of instructions including a first set of instructions for providing a remote node with a mobile network connection, wherein the first set of instructions, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform a method comprising: a remote access server (RAS) detecting an attempt by the remote node, exclusive of software capable of independently providing mobile network functionality, to establish communication with a home network; the RAS authenticating the remote node through an authentication server (AS) associated with the home network, said authenticating performed transparently relative to the remote node; and the RAS initiating a tunnel connection with a gateway (GW), on behalf of the remote node, that provides access to the home network, wherein the tunnel connection enables packets associated with a first protocol to be transmitted between the remote node and the home network according to a second protocol, to establish communication between the remote node and the home network.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
161 words
A computer-readable medium having stored thereon a plurality of instructions including a first set of instructions for providing a remote node with a mobile network connection, wherein the first set of instructions, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform a method comprising: a remote access server (RAS) detecting an attempt by the remote node, exclusive of software capable of independently providing mobile network functionality, to establish communication with a home network; the RAS authenticating the remote node through an authentication server (AS) associated with the home network, said authenticating performed transparently relative to the remote node; and the RAS initiating a tunnel connection with a gateway (GW), on behalf of the remote node, that provides access to the home network, wherein the tunnel connection enables packets associated with a first protocol to be transmitted between the remote node and the home network according to a second protocol, to establish communication between the remote node and the home network.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
47 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 10, wherein the method further comprises: the RAS generating an authentication request, on behalf of the remote node, to obtain access to the home network; and the RAS sending the authentication request to an authentication server (AS) residing at the home network.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
47 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein the method further comprises: the RAS providing a point-of-presence for accessing a service provider, wherein the service provider is associated with the gateway (GW) providing a connection to the home network; and the RAS including a tunnel management system (TMS).
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
33 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 10, wherein the method further comprises: the RAS receiving a connection from the remote node, wherein the connection is generated by the remote node dialing into the RAS.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
75 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein the method further comprises: the RAS providing the TMS with a domain name provided by the remote node; and the RAS requesting the TMS to provide the RAS with at least an address of the gateway providing the connection with the home network, an address of the authentication server residing in the home network, and an authentication protocol used by the authentication server residing in the home network.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
38 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein the method further comprises: the RAS sending the authentication request to the GW, wherein the authentication request includes at least the address of the authentication server residing in the home network.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 10, wherein the method further comprises: the RAS receiving a response from the GW completing the tunnel connection with the RAS.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
12 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 10 implemented on a switching system product.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
12 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 10 implemented on a transmissions system product.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
122 words
An apparatus comprising: a remote access server (RAS) to detect an attempt by a remote node, exclusive of software capable of independently providing mobile network functionality, to establish communication with a home network; the RAS to authenticate the remote node through an authentication server (AS) associated with the home network, said authenticating performed transparently relative to the remote node; and the RAS to initiate a tunnel connection with a gateway (GW), on behalf of the remote node, that provides access to the home network, wherein the tunnel connection enables packets associated with a first protocol to be transmitted between the remote node and the home network according to a second protocol, to establish communication between the remote node and the home network.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
122 words
An apparatus comprising: a remote access server (RAS) to detect an attempt by a remote node, exclusive of software capable of independently providing mobile network functionality, to establish communication with a home network; the RAS to authenticate the remote node through an authentication server (AS) associated with the home network, said authenticating performed transparently relative to the remote node; and the RAS to initiate a tunnel connection with a gateway (GW), on behalf of the remote node, that provides access to the home network, wherein the tunnel connection enables packets associated with a first protocol to be transmitted between the remote node and the home network according to a second protocol, to establish communication between the remote node and the home network.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus of claim 19, wherein: the RAS is operable to generate an authentication request, on behalf of the remote node, to obtain access to the home network, and to provide the authentication request to an authentication server (AS) residing at the home network.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus of claim 19, wherein: the RAS is further operable to provide a point-of-presence to access a service provider, wherein the service provider is associated with the gateway (GW) that provides access to the home network; and wherein the RAS includes a tunnel management system (TMS).
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 19, wherein: the RAS detects the attempt by a remote node to establish communication with a home network in response to the remote node dialing into the RAS.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
76 words
The apparatus of claim 21, wherein: the RAS is operable to provide the TMS with a domain name provided by the remote node, and further operable to request the TMS to provide the RAS with at least an address of the gateway that provides access to the home network, an address of the authentication server that resides in the home network, and an authentication protocol used by the authentication server that resides in the home network.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 20, wherein: the RAS is operable to send the authentication request to the GW, wherein the authentication request includes at least the address of the authentication server that in the home network.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the apparatus comprises a switching system product.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the apparatus comprises a transmissions system product.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-05-09 | 2003-11-08 | 2004-05-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-05-09 | 2007-11-08 | 2008-05-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-05-09 | 2011-11-08 | 2012-05-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |