Multimedia over internet protocol border controller for network-based virtual private networks

A method for communicating packet multimedia data between a source endpoint and a destination endpoint, wherein at least the source endpoint is within a virtual private network, the method comprising the steps of:

• receiving, at a signaling controller, a signaling packet for call initiation from the source endpoint, wherein the source endpoint is within a virtual private network;
• determining whether the source endpoint and destination endpoint may communicate directly;
• when the source endpoint and destination endpoint cannot communicate directly, instructing a media controller to allocate an IP address and port number value;
• and
• when the source endpoint and destination endpoint can communicate directly, instructing the source endpoint and destination endpoint to communicate media packets directly.

An apparatus for communicating packet multimedia data between a source endpoint and a destination endpoint, wherein at least the source endpoint is within a virtual private network, the apparatus comprising:

• means for receiving, at a signaling controller, a first signaling packet from the source endpoint, wherein the source endpoint is within a virtual private network;
• means for determining whether the source endpoint and destination endpoint may communicate directly;
• means, operable when the source endpoint and destination endpoint cannot communicate directly, for associating a unique identifier of the source endpoint with a virtual private network identification marker;
• means, operable when the source endpoint and destination endpoint can communicate directly, for instructing the source endpoint and destination endpoint to communicate media packets directly.