Patent ID: 7039687

Claim:
A virtual private network which enables private communications, over a shared Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) network, between at least two private networks comprising: a first router coupled to the shared MPLS network and configured to dynamically distribute first router Virtual Private Networks (VPN) information across the shared MPLS network, wherein said first router VPN information includes a VPN identifier and a unique IP address which is assigned to said first router; a second router coupled to the shared MPLS network and configured to dynamically distribute second router VPN information across the shared MPLS network; wherein said second router VPN information includes a VPN identifier and another unique IP address which is assigned to said second router; wherein said first and second routers are also configured to establish a plurality of label switched paths therebetween, said label switched paths comprising at least two multipoint-to-point paths and further comprising at least one multi-point to multi-point path; and, wherein said VPN identifier assigned to said first router is the same as said VPN identifier assigned to said second router.