Inter-network address translator that is separately addressable from address alias assignment process

Abstract

Communication between a network device in a first network and a network device in a second network is provided, where the first network operates in accordance with a first communication protocol and the second network operates in accordance with a second communication protocol. An alias is assigned to a target network device in the first network, the alias being compatible with the communication protocol of the second network The assigned alias is translated to an address for a target network device, the translated address being compatible with the communication protocol of the first network. Apparatus, for assigning the alias and for translating it are separately addressable in one or both of the networks, and the assigned alias corresponds to an address of the translating apparatus, such that, when a network device in the second network sends one or more communication(s) using an address including the assigned alias, each communication is routed to the translator, whereupon the translator translates the alias into the address of the target network device in the first network and sends the communication(s) into the first network.