US6092200A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for providing a virtual private network
Assignee: Micro Focus Software Inc
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Filing: 1997-08-01
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Granted: 2000-07-18
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Expires: 2017-08-01
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for establishing a virtual private network provides a technique for automatically configuring nodes of the network. The nodes are established to include a master node. Each node includes a public key and a private key for cryptographic communication in a first mode, such as RSA. Configuration data regarding communication in the network is provided to the master node. The configuration data is securely transferred into each other node from the master node. Nodes communicate with each other based upon a configuration data. The configuration data can include cryptographic key data related to a second cryptographic mode such as Diffie-Hellman.
Inventors
- 👤 Umesh Muniyappa
- 👤 Alampoondi Eswaran Natarajan
- 👤 Radia Joy Porlman
- 👤 Nicholas Michael Brailas
- 👤 Michael Terzich
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 22:09
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L63/00; H04L63/02; H04L63/0272; H04L63/04; H04L63/08; H04L63/0823
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
99 words
A method for establishing a virtual private network including a master node, and slave nodes, the method comprising: establishing a plurality of nodes by a public network, and each of the nodes including a public key and a private key in a first cryptographic mode; providing in the master node configuration information that defines allowable virtual private network communication links between each of the nodes; securely and electronically transferring the configuration information to each of the slave nodes from the master node; and establishing the virtual private network links among each of the nodes based upon the configuration information.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
99 words
A method for establishing a virtual private network including a master node, and slave nodes, the method comprising: establishing a plurality of nodes by a public network, and each of the nodes including a public key and a private key in a first cryptographic mode; providing in the master node configuration information that defines allowable virtual private network communication links between each of the nodes; securely and electronically transferring the configuration information to each of the slave nodes from the master node; and establishing the virtual private network links among each of the nodes based upon the configuration information.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the step of securely and electronically transferring the configuration information includes transferring the configuration information in encrypted form in the first cryptographic mode.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method as set forth in claim 2 further comprising securely transferring cryptographic key data related to a second cryptographic mode from the master node to each of the slave nodes in an encrypted form in the first cryptographic mode.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method as set forth in claim 3 further comprising providing a first cryptographic mode that comprises RSA cryptography and providing a second cryptographic mode that comprises Diffie-Hellman cryptography.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method as set forth in claim 4 wherein the step of securely and electronically transferring the configuration data includes providing signature data in the configuration data and authenticating the signature data at each of the slave nodes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the step of securely and electronically transferring the configuration information includes transferring information to each of the slave nodes that includes an address of at least one other of the nodes.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5892910A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-07-18 | 2004-01-17 | 2004-07-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-07-18 | 2008-01-17 | 2008-07-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-07-18 | 2012-01-17 | 2012-07-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |