Patent ID: 7743411

Claim:
A method of processing a call using a central virtual private network (VPN) server, the method comprising: associating a telephone number with a remote VPN client; linking the telephone number to an Internet protocol (IP) address associated with the remote VPN client; receiving, at the central VPN server, a call addressed to the telephone number associated with the remote VPN client, wherein the central VPN server is associated with a local area network (LAN); determining based on a look-up table whether the IP address is external to the LAN; determining whether a connection between the central VPN server and the remote VPN client is a secure connection; sending, using the IP address, an invitation to the remote VPN client when the connection is not secure, the invitation requesting the remote VPN client to establish a secure connection with the central VPN server, wherein the invitation is sent in response to receiving the call at the central VPN server and determining that the IP address is external to the LAN; initiating a secure connection via a virtual private network connection to the remote VPN client when the remote VPN client accepts the invitation; and routing the call to the VPN client via the virtual private network connection.