Abstract: A technique for distributing and acquiring information about network devices using the Domain Name System (DNS) is disclosed. Device information, such as configuration settings and system status, is exchanged bi-directionally between one or multiple DNS services and network nodes using the DNS protocol. The information exchanged is encoded as DNS records.

Abstract: VPN data for building and maintaining VPNs through a public network is gathered. The VPN data is maintained, at a DNS server, as part of a DNS table. A portion of the VPN data is provided as part of a DNS view of the DNS table to a client device. A VPN mode indicating a manner to establish a VPN node for the client device through the public network is determined using the portion of the VPN data. When the client device is coupled to the public network the VPN node is established and maintained according to the VPN mode using the portion of the VPN data.

Abstract: VPN data for building and maintaining VPNs through a public network is gathered. The VPN data is maintained, at a DNS server, as part of a DNS table. A portion of the VPN data is provided as part of a DNS view of the DNS table to a client device. A VPN mode indicating a manner to establish a VPN node for the client device through the public network is determined using the portion of the VPN data. When the client device is coupled to the public network the VPN node is established and maintained according to the VPN mode using the portion of the VPN data.

Abstract: A technique for distributing and acquiring information about network devices using the Domain Name System (DNS) is disclosed. Device information, such as configuration settings and system status, is exchanged bi-directionally between one or multiple DNS services and network nodes using the DNS protocol. The information exchanged is encoded as DNS records.

Abstract: VPN data for building and maintaining VPNs through a public network is gathered. The VPN data is maintained, at a DNS server, as part of a DNS table. A portion of the VPN data is provided as part of a DNS view of the DNS table to a client device. A VPN mode indicating a manner to establish a VPN node for the client device through the public network is determined using the portion of the VPN data. When the client device is coupled to the public network the VPN node is established and maintained according to the VPN mode using the portion of the VPN data.

Abstract: VPN data for building and maintaining VPNs through a public network is gathered. The VPN data is maintained, at a DNS server, as part of a DNS table. A portion of the VPN data is provided as part of a DNS view of the DNS table to a client device. A VPN mode indicating a manner to establish a VPN node for the client device through the public network is determined using the portion of the VPN data. When the client device is coupled to the public network the VPN node is established and maintained according to the VPN mode using the portion of the VPN data.

Abstract: VPN data for building and maintaining VPNs through a public network is gathered. The VPN data is maintained, at a DNS server, as part of a DNS table. A portion of the VPN data is provided as part of a DNS view of the DNS table to a client device. A VPN mode indicating a manner to establish a VPN node for the client device through the public network is determined using the portion of the VPN data. When the client device is coupled to the public network the VPN node is established and maintained according to the VPN mode using the portion of the VPN data.

Abstract: A technique for acquiring and disseminating network node characteristics to enable policy decisions including receiving a resolution request from one or more clients in a network environment is disclosed. Information, for example, network address, is then acquired from one or more sources regarding a specific location in a network, for example, a network node. A list of the network addresses is then generated and ranked based on one or more parameters that merit making traffic handling decisions. The network addresses are then associated with a host name on at least one directory server and then propagated to the one or more clients.

Abstract: A technique for acquiring and disseminating network node characteristics to enable policy decisions including receiving a resolution request from one or more clients in a network environment is disclosed. Information, for example, network address, is then acquired from one or more sources regarding a specific location in a network, for example, a network node. A list of the network addresses is then generated and ranked based on one or more parameters that merit making traffic handling decisions. The network addresses are then associated with a host name on at least one directory server and then propagated to the one or more clients.

Abstract: A technique for acquiring and disseminating network node characteristics to enable policy decisions including receiving a resolution request from one or more clients in a network environment is disclosed. Information, for example, network address, is then acquired from one or more sources regarding a specific location in a network, for example, a network node. A list of the network addresses is then generated and ranked based on one or more parameters that merit making traffic handling decisions. The network addresses are then associated with a host name on at least one directory server and then propagated to the one or more clients.

Abstract: A method for acquiring and disseminating network node characteristics to enable policy decisions including receiving a resolution request from one or more clients in a network environment. Information, for example, network address, is then acquired from one or more sources regarding a specific location in a network, for example, a network node. A list of the network addresses is then generated and ranked based on one or more parameters that merit making traffic handling decisions. The network addresses are then associated with a host name on at least one directory server and then propagated to the one or more clients.

Abstract: A method for acquiring and disseminating network node characteristics to enable policy decisions including receiving a resolution request from one or more clients in a network environment. Information, for example, network address, is then acquired from one or more sources regarding a specific location in a network, for example, a network node. A list of the network addresses is then generated and ranked based on one or more parameters that merit making traffic handling decisions. The network addresses are then associated with a host name on at least one directory server and then propagated to the one or more clients.

Abstract: A method for acquiring and disseminating network node characteristics to enable policy decisions including receiving a resolution request from one or more clients in a network environment. Information, for example, network address, is then acquired front one or more sources regarding a specific location in a network, for example, a network node. A list of the network addresses is then generated and ranked based on one or more parameters that merit making traffic handling decisions. The network addresses are then associated with a host name on at least one directory server and then propagated to the one or more clients.