ON-DEMAND CONNECTION SYSTEM FOR INTERNET SERVICES

This invention relates to a connection on-demand Internet network apparatus that accepts requests from browser clients to deliver multimedia services to the Internet over a switched network from a remote site without a permanent connection to the Internet. This invention provides a connection on-demand Internet network connection apparatus in two parts: The central site "Network Exchange" comprising of a Network Traffic Manager remote access router function connected to the Internet, capable of mapping an IP address to a telephone number and handling PPP (Point to Point Protocol) and proprietary protocols to enable TCP/IP connection to a remote router; and a Network Services Platform to provide local community facilities such as: DNS servers, e-mail servers, cache memory, NNTP (News) services, Proxy servers and Firewall services. The remote site part of the apparatus comprises: a Web server, router,data communications equipment, Voice over IP hardware and software; Video hardware and software; Network Interface Module (s) and software; and various software tools for diagnostics, monitoring, Dial Up Networking and Website editing. Further functionality includes: The ability to provide secure co-located e-commerce Websites connected into a Local Area Network to provide integrated e-commerce solutions and real-time connection to internal databases via ODBC connectivity. Outbound multi-user access the Internet on-demand, and e-mail services. Secure virtual private networking on-demand for Voice over IP, Video, and "Whiteboard" conferencing. Connection and access by mobile GSM phones to the Internet; corporate databases and order entry systems via the on-demand connection apparatus. La présente invention concerne un dispositif réseau Internet de connexion sur demande acceptant les demandes de navigateurs clients de fournir des services multimédias sur Internet via une réseau commuté à partir d'un site éloigné sans connexion permanente à Internet. L'invention concerne un dispositif de connexion au réseau Internet sur demande composé de deux parties: le site central /= , comprenant une fonction de routeur d'accès à distance de gestionnaire du trafic réseau connecté à Internet, pouvant effectuer le mappage d'une adresse IP en numéro de téléphone et de gérer le protocole PPP et les protocoles propriétaires afin d'activer une connexion TCP/IP à un routeur éloigné; et une plate-forme de services réseau destinée à fournir à la communauté locale d