Method and apparatus for managing tunneled communications in an enterprise network

A method of communicating in an enterprise network, comprising:

• at a tunneling server, receiving from a first client a first message, the first message formed by encapsulating a point-to-point data unit within a network address request header, the point-to-point data unit comprising a first header that includes an identifier associated with a second client, and a payload comprising information to be communicated to the second client, wherein the tunneling server comprises a protocol stack to process at least a portion of the first message;
• encapsulating the first message within a network address response header to form a second message;
• and
• communicating the second message toward the second client.

A computer readable medium operable to execute the following steps on a processor of a computer:

• at a tunneling server, receiving from a first client a first message formed by encapsulating a point-to-point data unit within a network address request header, the point-to-point data unit comprising a first header that includes an identifier associated with a second client, and a payload comprising information to be communicated to the second client, wherein the tunneling server comprises a protocol stack to process at least a portion of the point-to-point data unit;
• removing the point-to-point data unit from the first message;
• encapsulating the point-to-point data unit within a network address response header to form a second message;
• and
• communicating the second message toward the second client.

In an enterprise network comprising at least one client coupled to a tunneling server, a tunneling server comprising:

• a tunneling module operable to receive a first message formed by encapsulating a point-to-point data unit within a network address request header;
• and
• a protocol stack operable to process at least a portion of the point-to-point data unit to identify a control channel address associated with a destination client;
• wherein the tunneling module is further operable to encapsulate the point-to-point data unit within a network address response header to form a second message and wherein the tunneling server is operable to communicate the second message toward the destination client.

A system operable to facilitate communication with a destination client in an enterprise network, the system comprising:

• a first client comprising;
• a client protocol stack operable to generate a point-to-point data unit;
• and
• a tunneling module operable to encapsulate the point-to-point data unit within a network address request header to form a first message;
• wherein the first client is operable to communicate the first message toward a tunneling server;
• and
• a tunneling server comprising:
• a tunneling module operable to receive the first message;
• and
• a server protocol stack operable to process at least a portion of the point-to-point data unit to identify a control channel address associated with a destination client;
• wherein the tunneling module is further operable to encapsulate the point-to-point data unit within a network address response header to form a second message and wherein the tunneling server is operable to communicate the second message toward the destination client.