Communication system

A base station device comprising:

• an IP network interface for coupling to an IP network;
• one or more antennae for communicating with one or more user devices over a wireless interface;
• a communication module for communicating with one or more nodes within a core network over said IP network interface;
• and
• wherein the communication module is arranged to communicate a NATed IP address associated with the base station with a base station gateway node or a mobility management entity within the core network over said IP network interface.

A security gateway for coupling a base station device with a core network of a communication network through an IP network, the security gateway comprising:

• means for coupling to the base station device through the IP network;
• means for coupling to a node within the core network;
• means for analysing packets received from the base station device to determine a Network Address Translated, NATed, IP address for the base station;
• and
• means for communicating the determined NATed IP address for the base station device to said node within the core network.

A method performed by a security gateway that couples a base station device with a core network of a communication network through an IP network, the method comprising:

• using a first interface to couple to the base station device through the IP network;
• using a second interface to couple to a node within the core network;
• analysing packets received from the base station device over the first interface to determine a Network Address Translated, NATed, IP address for the base station;
• and
• communicating the determined NATed IP address for the base station device to said node within the core network over said second interface.

A base station device comprising:

• means for coupling to an IP network;
• one or more antennae for communicating with one or more user devices over a wireless interface;
• means for communicating with one or more nodes within a core network over said IP network interface;
• and
• wherein means for communicating is arranged to communicate a NATed IP address associated with the base station with a base station gateway node or a mobility management entity within the core network over said IP network interface.

A method performed by a base station device, the method comprising:

• using an IP network interface to couple the base station device to an IP network;
• communicating with one or more user devices over a wireless interface;
• communicating with one or more nodes within a core network over said IP network interface;
• and
• communicating a NATed IP address associated with the base station with a base station gateway node or a mobility management entity within the core network over said IP network interface.

A communications system comprising:

• a user device;
• a security gateway for coupling a base station device with a core network of a communication network through an IP network, the security gateway comprising:
• a first interface for coupling to the base station device through the IP network;
• a second interface for coupling to a node within the core network;
• an analysis module for analysing packets received from the base station device over the first interface to determine a Network Address Translated, NATed, IP address for the base station;
• and
• a communication module for communicating the determined NATed IP address for the base station device to said node within the core network over said second interface,
• a communication node arranged to communicate with a base station device via an IP network and a security atg eway, the communication node comprising:
• a security gateway communication module arranged to communicate with the security gateway and to receive a Network Address Translated, NATed, IP address for the base station from the security gateway;
• and
• a base station communication module arranged to communicate with the base station via said security gateway and the IP network and arranged to send the NATed IP address for the base station to the base station, and
• a base station device comprising.;
• an IP network interface for coupling to an IP network;
• one or more antennae for communicating with one or more user devices over a wireless interface;
• a communication module for communicating with one or more nodes within a core network over said IP network interface;
• and
• wherein the communication module is arranged to communicate a NATed IP address associated with the base station with a base station gateway node or a mobility management entity within the core network over said IP network interface.

A computer program product comprising instructions operable to program a programmable device to become configured as a security gateway for coupling a base station device with a core network of a communication network through an IP network, a communication node arranged to communicate with a base station device via an IP network and a security gateway, or a base station device,

• the security gateway comprising:
• a first interface for coupling to the base station device through the IP network;
• a second interface for coupling to a node within the core network;
• an analysis module for analysing packets received from the base station device over the first interface to determine a Network Address Translated, NATed, IP address for the base station;
• and
• a communication module for communicating the determined NATed IP address for the base station device to said node within the core network over said second interface,
• the communication node comprising:
• a security gateway communication module arranged to communicate with the security gateway and to receive a Network Address Translated, NATed, IP address for the base station from the security gateway;
• and
• a base station communication module arranged to communicate with the base station via said security gateway and the IP network and arranged to send the NATed IP address for the base station to the base station,
• the base station device comprising:
• an IP network interface for coupling to an IP network;
• one or more antennae for communicating with one or more user devices over a wireless interface;
• a communication module for communicating with one or more nodes within a core network over said IP network interface;
• and
• wherein the communication module is arranged to communicate a NATed IP address associated with the base station with a base station gateway node or a mobility management entity within the core network over said IP network interface.