System, device, method and software for providing a visitor access to a public network

Abstract

A system, device, method and software for providing a visitor access to a public network are disclosed. In one form, a virtual visitor enabled local area network includes a visitor access point operable to provide a visitor access to a public network while connected to a local area network (LAN). The visitor access point is operable to protect the LAN using a virtual visitor network established between the visitor access point and a virtual visitor network gateway.

1 - 33 . (canceled)  
     
     
         34 . A system for escorting packets from a source device to a destination device in a private network comprising: 
 a processor;    memory in electronic communication with the processor; and    instructions stored in the memory, the instructions being executable to: 
 receive a packet from the source device;  
 encapsulate the packet from the source device with a first header and a second header, wherein the first header indicates an encryption method, and wherein the second header includes routing information.  
   
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 34 , wherein the encryption method indicated by the first header comprises proprietary encryption.  
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 34 , wherein the encryption method indicated by the first header comprises IPsec.  
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 34 , wherein the first header comprises an identifier that indicates no encryption method is used.  
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 34 , wherein the second header comprises a source address and a destination address, and wherein the source address is the source device address, and wherein the destination address is the destination device address.  
     
     
         39 . The system of  claim 34 , wherein the source device is allowing a visitor access to a public network.  
     
     
         40 . A method for escorting packets from a source device to a destination device in a private network comprising: 
 receiving a packet from the source device;    encapsulating the packet from the source device with a first header and a second header, wherein the first header indicates an encryption method, and wherein the second header includes routing information.    
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the encryption method indicated by the first header comprises proprietary encryption.  
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the encryption method indicated by the first header comprises IPsec.  
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the first header comprises an identifier that indicates no encryption method is used.  
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the second header comprises a source address and a destination address, and wherein the source address is the source device address, and wherein the destination address is the destination device address.  
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the source device is allowing a visitor access to a public network.  
     
     
         46 . A network for escorting packets from a source device to a destination device comprising: 
 an access point to provide access to the network;    a processor;    memory in electronic communication with the processor; and    instructions stored in the memory, the instructions being executable to:    receive a packet from the source device;    encapsulate the packet from the source device with a first header and a second header, wherein the first header indicates an encryption method, and wherein the second header includes routing information    
     
     
         47 . The network of  claim 46 , wherein the encryption method indicated by the first header comprises proprietary encryption.  
     
     
         48 . The network of  claim 46 , wherein the encryption method indicated by the first header comprises IPsec.  
     
     
         49 . The network of  claim 46 , wherein the first header comprises an identifier that indicates no encryption method is used.  
     
     
         50 . The network of  claim 46 , wherein the second header comprises a source address and a destination address, and wherein the source address is the source device address, and wherein the destination address is the destination device address.  
     
     
         51 . The network of  claim 46 , wherein the source device is allowing a visitor access to a public network.