Patent ID: 6516417
Filing Date: 2003-02-04
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
Virtual private networks which enable private communications over a shared network, between at least two private networks comprising:a first router, coupled to the shared network; a second router, coupled to the first router via said shared network; wherein each of said first and second routers is assigned at least one shared network address, at least one private network address, and at least one virtual private network identifier; a controller coupled to the first router, the controller configured to periodically communicate a Virtual Private Network (VPN) configuration message over the shared network to the second router, wherein said VPN configuration message includes said at least one shared network address, said at least one private network address and said at least one virtual private network identifier associated with the first router, said VPN configuration message for notifying the second router of a VPN configuration of the at least one of the plurality of routers.