Virtual private network

Abstract

A virtual private network is disclosed. The network may include a first private network including a first firewall interposed between a first private network and a public network and a second firewall interposed between a first client machine and the first firewall machine. The network may include a second private network including a third firewall interposed between the second private network and the public network, and a fourth firewall interposed between a second client machine and the third firewall. An encrypted path is provided for traffic flowing between the first and second client machines over the public network. The encrypted path comprises encryption of a first type for traffic the first and second firewalls and the third and fourth firewalls, and encryption of a second type is used between the first and second private networks for traffic flowing over the public network.

1 . A virtual private network comprising: 
 a first private network, the first private network including: 
 a first firewall interposed between a first private network and a public network, and  
 a second firewall interposed between a first client machine and the first firewall machine;  
   a second private network, the second private network including: 
 a third firewall interposed between the second private network and the public network, and  
 a fourth firewall interposed between a second client machine and the third firewall;  
   an encrypted path for traffic flowing between the first and second client machines over the public network; and    wherein the encrypted path comprises encryption of a first type for traffic said first and second firewalls and said third and fourth firewalls, and encryption of a second type is used between the first and second private networks for traffic flowing over the public network.    
     
     
         2 . The virtual private network of  claim 1 , further comprising a dedicated domain name server associated with each of the firewalls for establishing DNS mappings for the virtual private network.  
     
     
         3 . The virtual private network of  claim 2 , where the dedicated domain name server comprises a virtual host on the same physical machine as any of said firewalls.  
     
     
         4 . The virtual private network of  claim 3 , wherein said first, second, third, or fourth firewalls further comprises a plurality of virtual hosts, each of said virtual hosts corresponding to a home through which a connection may be made.  
     
     
         5 . The virtual private network of  claim 4 , wherein said domain name server responds with address information to the virtual host responding to a connection request.  
     
     
         6 . The virtual private network of  claim 1 , wherein any of said first, second, third, or fourth firewalls further comprise a configurator for providing a web-based front-end for configuration through a point-and-click interface using a web browser.  
     
     
         7 . A virtual private network comprising: 
 a first private network, the first private network including: 
 first firewall means interposed between a first private network and a public network, and  
 second firewall means interposed between a first client machine and the first firewall machine;  
   a second private network, the second private network including: 
 third firewall means interposed between the second private network and the public network, and  
 fourth firewall means interposed between a second client machine and the third firewall;  
   means for providing an encrypted path for traffic flowing between the first and second client machines over the public network; and    means for providing encryption of a first type for traffic said first and second firewalls means and said third and fourth firewalls means, and means for providing encryption of a second type is used between the first and second private networks for traffic flowing over the public network.    
     
     
         8 . The virtual private network of  claim 7 , further comprising dedicated domain name server means for establishing DNS mappings for the virtual private network associated with each of the firewalls.  
     
     
         9 . The virtual private network of  claim 8 , where the dedicated domain name server means comprises virtual host means on the same physical machine as any of said firewall means.  
     
     
         10 . The virtual private network of  claim 9 , wherein said any of first, second, third, or fourth firewalls further comprises a plurality of virtual host for providing a home through which a connection may be made.  
     
     
         11 . The virtual private network of  claim 10 , wherein said domain name server means responds with address information to the virtual host responding to a connection request.  
     
     
         12 . The virtual private network of  claim 7 , wherein any of said first, second, third, or fourth firewalls further comprise configurator means for providing a web-based front-end for configuration through a point-and-click interface using a web browser.