System and method to support networking functions for mobile hosts that access multiple networks

Abstract

An IP-based corporate network architecture and method for providing seamless secure mobile networking across office WLAN, home WLAN, public WLAN, and 2.5 G/3 G cellular networks for corporate wireless data users. The system includes Internet roaming clients (IRCs), a secure mobility gateway (SMG), optional secure IP access (SIA) gateways, and a virtual single account (VSA) server. The IRC is a special client tool installed on a mobile computer (laptop or PDA) equipped with a WLAN adaptor and a cellular modem. It is responsible for establishing and maintaining a mobile IPsec tunnel between the mobile computer and a corporate intranet. The SMG is a mobile IPsec gateway installed between the corporate intranet and the Internet. It works in conjunction with the IRC to maintain the mobile IPsec tunnel when the mobile computer is connected on the Internet via a home WLAN, a public WLAN, or a cellular network. The SIA gateway is a special IPsec gateway installed in the middle of the wired corporate intranet and an office WLAN. It works with the IRC to ensure data security and efficient use of corporate IP addresses when the mobile computer is connected to the office WLAN. The VSA server manages authentication credentials for every corporate user based on a virtual single account concept. The Internet Roaming system can provide secure, always-on office network connectivity for corporate users no matter where they are located using best available wireless networks.