Patent ID: 7409712

Claim:
A method for redirecting network message traffic comprising: receiving an indication of undesirable message traffic directed to a particular target node via a first transport mechanism in a communications network; rerouting all message traffic carried via the first transport mechanism in the communications network, and directed to the particular target node, to a filter complex operable to distinguish desirable message traffic from undesirable message traffic, rerouting all message traffic including directing the filter complex from a network management server in communication with the filter complex, the network management server operable to send a reroute message to the filter complex; establishing a second transport mechanism having a separate set of routing tables in an overlay arrangement with the first transport mechanism under which the rerouting to the filter complex occurs; and directing the filter complex to transmit, via the second transport mechanism over the communications network, the desirable message traffic to the target node, directing the filter complex further comprising propagating routing information according to a predetermined protocol, the routing information operable to designate the target node as the destination of the message according to the second transport mechanism, the second transport mechanism defining a Virtual Private Network (VPN) protocol.