Patent ID: 7940769

Claim:
An IPv6 node comprising: an in-site address acquisition resource configured for acquiring a unique in-site IPv6 address for communication with at least an IPv6 gateway node within a prescribed site, the unique in-site IPv6 address being reachable only by nodes within the prescribed site, the unique in-site IPv6 address having a first address prefix that is not advertised outside of the prescribed site; an extra-site address acquisition resource configured for obtaining from within the prescribed site a unique extra-site IPv6 address having a second address prefix that is distinct from the first address prefix, wherein the second address prefix is advertised inside and outside the prescribed site; and a packet transmit/receive resource configured for sending a first packet to a correspondent node outside of the prescribed site based on: first generating the first packet, the first packet having a first header with a destination address field specifying an address of the correspondent node and a source address field specifying the extra-site IPv6 address, and second generating a second packet including the first packet and a second header for reception and removal by the IPv6 gateway node, the second header having a destination address field specifying an IPv6 address of the IPv6 gateway node and a source address field specifying the in-site IPv6 address, the packet transmit/receive resource including a secure tunnel interface configured for outputting the second packet, having the first and second headers, to the IPv6 gateway node via a secure connection established between the IPv6 node and the IPv6 gateway node, for transfer of the first packet by the IPv6 gateway node outside of the prescribed site for delivery to the correspondent node.