Patent ID: 6205488
Filing Date: 2001-03-20
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
A virtual private network (VPN) which enables private communications over a shared Multi-Protocol Label Switched (MPLS) network, between at least two private networks, comprising:a plurality of routers in communication with the shared MPLS network and configured to dynamically distribute VPN information across the shared MPLS network, wherein said VPN information distributed by a particular one of said plurality of routers includes a VPN identifier assigned to said particular one of said plurality of routers, which identifies a VPN which said particular one of said plurality of routers is associated with;a first table, stored in one of said plurality of routers, of label switched paths from said one of said plurality of routers to a remainder of said plurality of routers;a second table, stored in said one of said plurality of routers, of nested label switched paths from said one of said plurality of routers to a remainder of said plurality of routers which share a common VPN identifier.