Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product for providing IP Routing when using dynamic virtual local area networks (VLANs) with web based authentication. A downstream VLAN is assigned to a first switch port of a first network device. A first upstream VLAN is also assigned to the first switch port of the first network device. The first upstream VLAN is changed to a second upstream VLAN upon authentication, and the downstream VLAN is maintained.

Abstract: A routing mechanism provides network segmentation preservation by route distribution with segment identification, policy distribution for a given VPN segment, and encapsulation/decapsulation for each segment using an Ethernet VLAN_ID, indicative of the VPN segment (subnetwork). Encapsulated segmentation information in a message packet identifies which routing and forwarding table is employed for the next hop. A common routing instance receives the message packets from the common interface, and indexes a corresponding VRF table from the VLAN ID, or segment identifier, indicative of the subnetwork (e.g. segment). In this manner, the routing instance receives the incoming message packet, decapsulates the VLAN ID in the incoming message packet, and indexes the corresponding VRF and policy ID from the VLAN ID, therefore employing a common routing instance over a common subinterface for a plurality of segments (subnetworks) coupled to a particular forwarding device (e.g. VPN router).