Patent ID: 7376743
Filing Date: 2008-05-20
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. In a master concentrator device, a method for balancing incoming client connection requests among a plurality of concentrator devices configured in a cluster arrangement, including the master concentrator device, the plurality of concentrator devices providing access to a virtual private network, the method comprising the steps of: receiving load data describing current load conditions of the concentrator devices wherein the load is a ratio of a current number of connections in a particular concentrator to a configured value of maximum allowed connections for the particular concentrator, wherein said value of maximum allowed connections is different than a maximum number of connections the particular concentrator can handle in order to limit load on said particular concentrator, which includes: providing a virtual cluster address in order to receive client virtual private network connection requests for access to the virtual private network, said virtual cluster address providing a public interface for a virtual private network client to access the virtual private network; receiving from the virtual private network client an initial client connection request for a virtual private network connection, said initial client connection directed to the virtual cluster address; selecting one of the plurality of concentrator devices based upon the load data describing current load conditions of the concentrator devices, said selected device to handle said virtual private network connection; and transmitting, to the virtual private network client, an address of the selected concentrator device.