Home-networked client devices are connected to a host system that assigns
independent Internet addresses to the client devices using a home gateway
device that is connected to the home-networked client devices through a
network. The home gateway device, which may be physically located in a
personal residence, generally includes a communication device to
communicate with the host system over a single communication tunnel
established between the home gateway device and the host system. The home
gateway device also includes a network address translation module. The
client devices are typically connected to the home gateway device through
a network and the client devices communicate with the host system through
the home gateway device over the single communication tunnel. This
enables the host system to establish individual communication sessions
with the client devices over the single communication tunnel and to
assign independent Internet addresses to the client devices.