Patent · US Expired

Virtual private networks

US6516417B1 · kind B1 · utility

83Cited by
10References
9Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 7, 1998
Grant dateFeb 4, 2003
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 7, 2018

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH04L63/0272
  • WIPO fieldDigital communication
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A system and method of automatically configuring virtual private networks is provided. The virtual private networks disclosed, include multiple routers selectively connectable to the shared network, such that each of the routers is assigned at least one: shared network address, private network address and virtual private network identifier. Each router includes a controller configured to communicate a router configuration message over the shared network to other members of the same virtual private network. The router configuration message informs the other members of the virtual private network the address of the router and what devices are connected to the router.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.