Systems and methods for automatically configuring and managing network devices and virtual private networks
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods are disclosed for automatically configuring, managing, and maintaining a network device or VPN using a public network such as the Internet. Initial configuration of a network device or VPN occurs upon a user entering minimal information via a simple HTML page. After receipt of this minimal information, the present invention automatically configures the network device or VPN without user intervention. Thereafter, a user may modify the network device or VPN configuration via an easy-to-use and easy-to-understand graphical user interface. Parameters are presented such that a user simply checks and unchecks boxes, or clicks on radio buttons, to configure network device parameters. Upon completion of the selection, the user clicks on save, and the configuration is automatically modified. In addition, upon a significant change to any network device, the changed network device automatically initiates reconfiguration of the network device or VPN with zero input from a user.
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Citations
97 Claims
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1-4. -4. (canceled)
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5. A method for automatically creating a VPN, said method comprising the steps of:
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receiving VPN data input by a user at a portal;
transmitting said VPN data from said portal to at least one management device;
creating at least two device configuration files at said at least one management device;
automatically establishing at least two first communications between said at least one management device and at least two network devices via at least one network connection of at least one network; and
transmitting said at least two device configuration files from said at least one management device to said at least two network devices via said at least one network connection;
analyzing each of said device configuration files locally at said at least two network devices to determine that reconfiguration of said network devices is required;
automatically establishing at least two second communications between said at least two network devices and said at least one management device via said at least one network connection;
receiving a request at said at least one management device from said at least two network devices for at least two VPN configuration files via said at least one network connection; and
transmitting said at least two VPN configuration files from said at least one management device to said at least two network devices via said at least one network connection;
wherein at least one VPN is automatically created upon local processing of said at least two device configuration files and said at least two VPN configuration files. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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42. A method for automatically reconfiguring a VPN, said method comprising the steps of:
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receiving VPN data input by a user at a portal;
transmitting said VPN data from said portal to at least one management device;
creating at least one device configuration file at said at least one management device;
automatically establishing at least one first communication between said at least one management device and at least one network device via at least one network connection of at least one network; and
transmitting said at least one device configuration file from said at least one management device to said at least one network device via said at least one network connection;
analyzing each of said at least one device configuration files locally at said at least one network devices to determine whether reconfiguration of said network device is required and, if said reconfiguration of said network device is required, performing the sub-steps of;
automatically establishing a second communication between said network device and said management device via said network connection;
receiving a request at said management device from said network device for a VPN configuration file via said network connection; and
transmitting said VPN configuration file from said management device to said network device via said network connection;
wherein at least one VPN is automatically reconfigured upon local processing of at least one of said device configuration file, said VPN configuration file, and combinations thereof. - View Dependent Claims (43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82)
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83. A method for remotely maintaining a VPN, said method comprising the steps of:
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transmitting maintenance data to at least one management device;
creating at least one of the group consisting of a device configuration file, a VPN configuration file, and combinations thereof at said management device;
automatically establishing a communication between said management device and at least one of said network devices via at least one network connection of at least one network; and
transmitting at least one of the group consisting of said device configuration file, said VPN configuration file, and combinations thereof from said management device to said network device via said network connection;
wherein at least one parameter of at least one of said network device, said VPN, and combinations thereof is automatically configured upon local processing of at least one of the group consisting of said device configuration file, said VPN configuration file, and combinations thereof. - View Dependent Claims (84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97)
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Specification