Configuring a user device to remotely access a private network

• US 20090129301A1
• Filed: 11/15/2007
• Published: 05/21/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/15/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Inventors: Belimpasakis, Petros
• Application Number:
  US11/985,512
• Publication Number:
  US 20090129301A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/310
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/18 Negotiating wireless communication parameters

Abstract

Configuring a mobile device to remotely access a private network involves determining, via the private network, first network parameters that enable the mobile device utilize to a computing service of the private network. The device also determines, via a gateway coupled to the private network, second network parameters that allow the mobile to utilize the computing service via a public network. The first and second network parameters are stored on the mobile device. A request is received from a user of the mobile device to access the computing service. It is determined that the mobile device is not on the private network. In response to determining that the mobile device is not on the private network, the second network parameters are utilized to access the computing service via the gateway in response to the request.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

at least one network interface, memory, and a processor coupled to the memory and the network interface, wherein the memory stores instructions that causes the processor to;

while on the private network;

determine first network parameters that enable the apparatus to utilize a computing service of the private network;

determine, from a gateway coupled to the private network and the public network, second network parameters that allow the apparatus to utilize the computing service via the public network, wherein the gateway selectably blocks connection attempts from the public network to the private network; and

while on the public network;

receive a request from the user interface to access the computing service;

determine that the apparatus is not on the private network; and

utilize the second network parameters to access the computing service via the gateway in response to determining that the apparatus is not on the private network.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the instructions cause the processor to determine that the apparatus is not on the private network by comparing network configuration parameters received via the public network to analogous network configuration parameters of the private network.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein comparing network configuration parameters received via the public network comprises analyzing current Internet protocol configuration data of the network interface to determine that the current Internet protocol configuration data is different than Internet protocol configuration data of the private network.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein comparing network data received via the network interface comprises analyzing a current service set identifier of a wireless access point to determine that the current service set identifier is different than a service set identifier of the private network.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the instructions cause the processor to determine that the apparatus is not on the private network by determining a location of the apparatus.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the private network comprises a Universal Plug and Play network, and wherein the apparatus determines the second network parameters from a Universal Plug and Play Internet Gateway Device interface of the gateway.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the instructions cause the processor to determine that the apparatus is not on the private network in response to a failure of a connection attempt made using the first network parameters.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the gateway comprises a network address translation gateway, and wherein the second network parameters comprise an IP address and port mapping usable by the network address translation gateway.

9. A method comprising:

determining, via a private network, first network parameters that enable the mobile device utilize to a computing service of the private network;

determining, via a gateway coupled to the private network and the public network, second network parameters that allow the mobile to utilize the computing service via the public network, wherein the gateway selectably blocks connection attempts from the public network to the private network;

storing the first and second network parameters on the mobile device;

receiving a request from a user of the mobile device to access the computing service;

determining that the mobile device is not on the private network; and

utilizing the second network parameters to access the computing service via the gateway in response to the request and in response to determining that the mobile device is not on the private network.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein determining that the mobile device is not on the private network comprises comparing current network configuration parameters received via the public network with analogous network configuration parameters of the private network.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein comparing network configuration parameters received via the public network comprises analyzing current Internet protocol configuration data of the network interface to determine that the current Internet protocol configuration data is different than Internet protocol configuration data of the private network.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein comparing network configuration parameters received via the public network comprises analyzing a current service set identifier of a wireless access point to determine that the current service set identifier is different than a service set identifier of the private network.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein determining that the apparatus is not on the private network comprises determining a location of the apparatus.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein the private network comprises a Universal Plug and Play network, and wherein the second network parameters are determined from a Universal Plug and Play Internet Gateway Device interface of the gateway.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein determining that the apparatus is not on the private network comprises determining a failure of a connection attempt made using the first network parameters.

16. The method of claim 9, wherein the gateway comprises a network address translation gateway, and wherein the second network parameters comprise an IP address and port mapping usable by the network address translation gateway.

17. A system comprising:

a gateway capable of being simultaneously coupled to a private network and a public network, wherein the gateway selectably blocks connection attempts from the public network to the private network; and

a mobile terminal capable of communicating on the private network public networks, the mobile terminal comprising;

at least one network interface;

memory; and

a processor coupled to the memory and the network interface, wherein the memory stores instructions that causes the processor to;

while on the private network;

determine first network parameters that enable the mobile terminal utilize to a computing service of the private network;

determine, via the gateway, second network parameters that allow the mobile terminal to utilize the computing service via the public network; and

while on the public network;

receive a request to access the computing service;

determine that the mobile terminal is not on the private network; and

utilize the second network parameters to access the computing service via the gateway in response to determining that the apparatus is not on the private network.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the private network comprises a Universal Plug and Play network, and wherein the second network parameters are determined from a Universal Plug and Play Internet Gateway Device interface of the gateway.

19. A computer-readable storage medium including instructions executable by a processor of a mobile terminal for:

while on a private network;

determining first network parameters that enable the mobile terminal to utilize a computing service of the private network;

determining, from a gateway coupled to the private network and the public network, second network parameters that allow the mobile terminal to utilize the computing service via the public network, wherein the gateway selectably blocks connection attempts from the public network to the private network; and

while on the public network;

receiving a request from the user interface to access the computing service;

determining that the mobile terminal is not on the private network; and

utilizing the second network parameters to access the computing service via the gateway in response to determining that the apparatus is not on the private network.

20. An apparatus comprising:

means for determining, while on a private network, first network parameters that enable the apparatus to utilize a computing service of the private network;

means for determining, while on the private network from a gateway coupled to the private network and a public network, second network parameters that allow the apparatus to utilize the computing service via the public network, wherein the gateway selectably blocks connection attempts from the public network to the private network;

means for receiving, while on the public network, a request from a user of the apparatus to access the computing service;

means for determining that the apparatus is not on the private network while on the public network; and

means for utilizing the second network parameters to access the computing service via the gateway in response to determining that the apparatus is not on the private network.