Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

A policy enables a subscriber to connect to multiple service providers simultaneously using a network address translation technique that translates an address identifying the subscriber and associated with a first service provider into an address identifying the subscriber and associated with a second service provider for a particular application. The subscriber registers with a single home service provider and connects to that single home service provider for a packet session. To connect to additional service providers that provide additional applications during the packet session, the NAT rule is downloaded from the home service provider to a router at the border between the subscriber and the access network of the home service provider. Each IP packet received at the router to or from the subscriber is filtered to determine the subscriber's address and an application identifier. Based on the combination of both the subscriber's address and the application identifier, the router translates the subscriber's address into a new address, using the NAT rule. The new address is used to connect the subscriber to an additional service provider for a particular application during the packet session with the home service provider.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim