Patent ID: 7653683
Filing Date: 2010-01-26
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A directory server apparatus for use in a system that includes multiple first networks interconnected via a second network, where each of the first networks are linked to one or more network devices each having assigned thereto an internal address on the respective first network and device identity information, where a router couples at least one of the first networks to the second network, and the router uses multiple source addresses on the second network for routing messages from network devices on the first network via the second network, where the directory server apparatus is linked directly or indirectly to the second network and comprises: a directory table containing a listing of the network devices and prescribed data associated with each listed network device, the prescribed data including the source address and device identity information assigned to the listed network device; where the directory table further includes a cross-map listing all equivalent source addresses of some or all of the source address in the directory table, where source addresses are equivalent when they represent network devices of the same first network; where the directory table further includes a listing of access rights associated with some or all of the network devices; a message processor programmed to perform operations including: