Peer to peer network communication

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for peer to peer network communication. In one implementation, a method of communicating between a first client system and a second client system includes: discovering first address information for a first client system connected to a first network address translation device; sharing the first address information with a second client system; receiving second address information for the second client system; and establishing communication between the first client system and the second client system using the second address information.

1 - 25 . (canceled)  
     
     
         26 . A network client system, comprising: 
 a network connection interface for connecting to a network;    a network address manager for sending an address request to an address server connected to the network to determine address information for the network client system;    a network registration manager for registering the address information of the client system with a matching server connected to the network;    a network sharing manager for sharing the address information with a second client system connected to the network,    wherein the network connection interface is connected to a network address translation device,    wherein the address information includes a local network address and a public network address,    wherein the local network address corresponds to the network client system and is established by the network address translation device,    wherein the public network address corresponds to the network address translation device, and    wherein said network address translation device establishes said local network address for said network client system by mapping a port number associated with said network client system using port address translation and attaching the port number to said public network address.    
     
     
         27 . The network client system of  claim 26 , further comprising a network mapping maintenance manager for regularly sending messages to a mapping maintenance server connected to the network.  
     
     
         28 . (canceled)  
     
     
         29 . The network client system of  claim 27 , where the public network address includes a port number assigned by the network address translation device to correspond to the network client system.  
     
     
         30 . The network client system of  claim 27 , further comprising game components for providing video game console functionality.  
     
     
         31 - 52 . (canceled)