Method and apparatus for using network address information to improve the performance of network transactions

A first server having a processor and a memory coupled to said processor, the memory having stored therein sequences of instructions to be executed by said processor said instructions comprising:

• a first instruction for receiving a request from a client over an unsecure data communication line to establish a connection with said client;
• a second instruction for accessing a second server over a secure data communication line to obtain a client encryption key corresponding to said client;
• a third instruction for decrypting information received from said client over said connection using said client encryption key obtained from said second server;
• and
• a fourth instruction for encrypting information sent to said client over said connection using said client encryption key obtained from said second server.

A client network interface device having a processor and a memory coupled to said processor, the memory having stored therein sequences of instructions to be executed by said processor, said instructions comprising:

• a first instruction for connecting to an unsecure server over an unsecure data communication line to perform unsecure portions of a data transaction;
• a second instruction for disconnecting from said unsecure server;
• and
• a third instruction for connecting to a secure server over a secure data communication line to perform secure portions of said data transaction.

A client network interface device having a processor and a memory coupled to said processor, the memory having stored therein sequences of instructions to be executed by said processor, said instructions comprising:

• a first instruction for connecting to a server over a data communication line to request matching with another matched remote opponent for playing a real-time networked game;
• a second instruction for disconnecting from said server;
• and
• a third instruction for connecting to said matched remote opponent over a real-time data communication line to play said real-time networked game.

A client network interface device having a processor and a memory coupled to said processor, the memory having stored therein sequences of instructions to be executed by said processor, said instructions comprising:

• a first instruction for receiving a request for service from a client over a data communication line;
• a second instruction for obtaining a client network address corresponding to said client;
• a third instruction for obtaining said client's geographical locality based on said client's network address;
• and
• a fourth instruction for generating a response to said client request for service, said response being tailored to said geographical locality of said client.

A method for establishing secure communications over a network between a client network interface device and a network server comprising the steps of:

• obtaining, by said client network interface device an encryption key and network address for said client network interface device from a private server over a first secure communication connection;
• transmitting said network address from said client network interface device to said network server;
• obtaining, by said network server said encryption key from said private server using said network address to identify said client network interface device over a second secure communication connection;
• and
• establishing a third secure communication connection between said network interface device and said network server using said encryption key.

In a network system including a client network interface device, a network server, and a private server, a computer program product for establishing secure communications over said network between said client network interface device and said network server, said computer program product comprising:

• a computer-readable medium for carrying computer-executable instructions, wherein said computer instructions comprise:
• code means at said client network interface device for obtaining an encryption key and network address for said client network interface device from said private server over a first secure communication connection;
• code means at said client network interface device for initiating transmission of said network address from said client network interface device to said network server;
• code means at said network server for obtaining said encryption key from said private server using said network address to identify said client network interface device over a second secure communication connection;
• and
• code means for establishing a third secure communication connection between said client network interface device and said network server using said encryption key.