Patent ID: 6496867
Filing Date: 2002-12-17
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
In a data network having a plurality of private networks and public networks, and a plurality of network devices, a method for initiating a tunneling association between an originating end of the tunneling association and a terminating end of the tunneling association, the method comprising the following steps:receiving a request to initiate the tunneling association on a first network device, wherein the first network device is associated with the originating end of the tunneling association, and wherein the request includes a unique identifier for the terminating end of the tunneling association; informing a trusted-third-party network device of the request on a public network; associating a public network address for a second network device with the unique identifier for the terminating end of the tunneling association on the trusted-third-party network device, wherein the second network device is associated with the terminating end of the tunneling association; and negotiating a first private network address on the first network device and a second private network address on the second network device through the public network, wherein the first private network address is assigned to the originating end of the tunneling association and the second private network address is assigned to the terminating end of the tunneling association.