Importance

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Abstract

An flexible address translation method allows a computer network to automatically learn that a visiting node has attached and then automatically establish a virtual gateway so that the visiting node can communicate through the network with local nodes, other visiting nodes, and/or Internet sites. The network performs an address translation to enable the connectivity of the visiting node. The network maintains one or more globally unique outside addresses that point to it. In other words, packets addressed to the one or more outside addresses are routed to the network. When a visiting node connects to the network, the network translates the source address of packets from the node to a particular one of its outside addresses. The network also replaces destination addresses in packets received by the network that are addressed to the particular outside address. Specifically, the network replaces the globally unique outside address with the 'home' address of the visiting node. Thereafter, the packet is forwarded to the visiting node, which is now connected to the network.

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First Claim