Patent ID: 6079020
Filing Date: 2000-06-20
Classification: H04L,H04Q

Abstract:
A method for managing virtual private networks operating over a public data network, the public data network including a plurality of virtual private network gateways so that communications across virtual private networks are channeled through the virtual private network gateways, the method comprising:receiving a command specifying an operation on a virtual private network;wherein the command specifies the operation in terms of at least one higher-level object without specifying network addresses;determining which virtual private network gateways are affected by the command;translating automatically the command into configuration parameters for virtual private network gateways affected by the command, the configuration parameters specifying how the virtual private network gateways handle communications between specific groups of addresses on the public data network;wherein translating the command involves retrieving network addresses associated with the at least one higher-level object;wherein the configuration parameters specify lower-level network addresses; andtransmitting the configuration parameters to the virtual private network gateways affected by the command.