Patent ID: 7783800

Claim:
A method for providing a managed network, comprising: in a management center, setting at least one configuration of a first network management device located at a first location, the at least one configuration to cause the first network management device to provide a corresponding at least one managed network service for a first network after the at least one configuration is transmitted to the first network management device, wherein setting the at least one configuration comprises setting at least one of: a virtual private network (VPN) configuration to cause the first network management device to provide a VPN service, the VPN service to enable the first network management device to communicate with at least one of: a second network management device located at a second location, a remote access client, and the management center; and an internet protocol (IP) routing and network interface configuration to cause the first network management device to provide an IP routing and network interface service; storing the at least one configuration in the management center; and automatically transmitting the stored at least one configuration to the first network management device via a second network in response to receiving an activation key at the management center, the activation key transmitted from the first network management device to the management center via the second network after the first network management device is connected to the second network at the first location; wherein the management center is external to the first network and to the first and second locations, and wherein the management center comprises a shared infrastructure for simultaneously providing managed network services to users of multiple networks at multiple locations.