Virtual private network manager GUI with links for use in configuring a virtual private network

• US 20050022183A1
• Filed: 11/12/2003
• Published: 01/27/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/02/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Avaya Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Avaya Incorporated
• Inventors: Milillo, James M., Desroches, Melissa L., Poisson, Matthew W.
• Granted Patent: US 7,831,689 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 718/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/4633 Interconnection of networks using encapsulation techniques, e.g. tunneling
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/4641 Virtual LANs, VLANs, e.g. virtual private networks [VPN] LAN interconnection over a bridge based backbone H04L12/462; encapsulation techniques H04L12/4633; routing of packets H04L45/00; packet switches H04L49/00; virtual private networks for security H04L63/0272
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0213 Standardised network management protocols, e.g. simple network management protocol [SNMP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0253 using browsers or web-pages for accessing management information
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0803 Configuration setting
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0895 Configuration of virtualised networks or elements, e.g. virtualised network function or OpenFlow elements
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/22 comprising specially adapted graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/40 using virtualisation of network functions or resources, e.g. SDN or NFV entities
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0272 Virtual private networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/20 for managing network security; network security policies in general filtering policies H04L63/0227

Abstract

Managing a virtual private network includes providing a graphical user interface configured to display at least one link for each of a plurality of computers offering virtual private network functions.

Claims

1-20. -20. (Canceled).

21. A method of managing a virtual private network over an internet, the method comprising:

providing a graphical user interface configured to display at least one link for accessing, via the internet, a web-page generated by a web-server associated with a switch offering virtual private network functions.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the link comprises an HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol) link.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein the link comprises a link to a web-page comprising information describing users of the virtual private network functions provided by the switch.

24. The method of claim 21, wherein the link comprises a link to a web-page comprising information describing packet filters provided by the switch.

25. The method of claim 21, wherein the link comprises a link to a web-page comprising information describing access hours of the switch.

26. The method of claim 21, further comprising:

transmitting an HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol) request when a link is selected by a user; and

accessing a web-page associated with the link in response to the HTTP request, the web-page comprising configuration information related to the switch.

27. The method of claim 26 further comprising:

modifying the configuration information of the switch via the accessed web-page.

28. The method of claim 21, further comprising:

transmitting an HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol) request when a link is selected by a user.

29. A method of managing a virtual private network, the method comprising providing a graphical user interface display that includes:

a list of extranet switches offering virtual private network functions; and

at least one HTTP link for an extranet switch selected from the list, the at least one link causing transmission of an HTTP request to access a web-page generated by a web-server associated with the extranet switch.

30. A computer program product, disposed on a computer readable medium, for managing a virtual private network, the program comprising instructions for causing a processor to:

provide a graphical user interface configured to display at least one link for accessing a web-page generated by a web-server associated with a switch offering virtual private network functions.

31. The computer program product of claim 30, wherein the link comprises an HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol) link.

32. The computer program product of claim 30, wherein the link comprises a link to a web-page comprising information describing users of the virtual private network functions provided by the switch.

33. The computer program product of claim 30, wherein the link comprises a link to a web-page comprising information describing packet filters provided by the switch.

34. The computer program product of claim 30, wherein the link comprises a link to a web-page comprising information describing access hours of the switch.

35. The computer program product of claim 30, further comprising:

instructions for transmitting an HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol) request when a link is selected by a user; and

instructions for accessing a web-page associated with the link in response to the HTTP request, the web-page comprising configuration information related to the switch.

36. The computer program product of claim 35 further comprising:

instructions for allowing modification of the configuration information of the switch via the accessed web-page and for transmitting modified configuration information to the switch.

37. The computer program product of claim 30, further comprising instructions for causing the processor to transmit an HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol) request when a link is selected.

38. A computer program product, disposed on a computer readable medium, for managing a virtual private network, the program including instructions for causing a processor to provide a graphical user interface display that includes:

a list of extranet switches offering virtual private network functions; and

at least one HTTP link for an extranet switch selected from the list, the at least one link causing transmission of an HTTP request to access a web-page generated by a web-server associated with the extranet switch.