Abstract: In an embodiment, an electronic digital data packet router performs receiving a DHCP initiation message on a particular interface among a plurality of network interfaces,; modifying the DHCP initiation message by adding a particular DHCP option that signals a DHCP server to provide router configuration data, resulting in a modified DHCP initiation message; relaying the modified DHCP initiation message to the DHCP server; receiving, from the DHCP server, a DHCPOFFER message that comprises the particular DHCP option containing configuration data; configuring the router using the configuration data; relaying the DHCPOFFER message without the particular DHCP option on the particular interface toward another data packet router.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product for providing an encrypted multipoint Virtual Private Network (VPN) service is presented. A first packet of a plurality of packets is received at an ingress provider edge (PE) the plurality of packets destined for a remote server in communication with said egress PE router. A lookup for a destination prefix of a first packet is preformed, and a determination made that a next-hop for the first packet is reachable through a mGRE tunnel. A resolution request is sent to a hub to acquire a routable IP address. The packets sent to the hub are encapsulated, and encrypting until a resolution reply is received and until security associations (SAs) have been exchanged. Then a VPN is established between the ingress and egress PEs and is used for all subsequent packets.

Abstract: An edge router (disposed between a packet-switched network and a label-switching network) is configured to receive an IKE message originating from a client on the Internet (e.g., packet-switched network) attempting to set up a tunnel. Upon receipt of the IKE message, the edge router utilizes a unique identifier in the IKE message to identify a virtual private network in the label-switching network. In lieu of terminating an IPSec tunnel at the edge router and performing a respective key exchange with the client, the edge router identifies a corresponding forwarding table associated with the virtual private network (identified by the unique identifier in the IKE message) and, based on the corresponding forwarding table, forwards the IKE message to a destination reachable via the label-switching network. The destination (e.g., a key server in a corresponding VPN) communicates with the client through the edge router to set up the tunnel.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product for providing an encrypted multipoint Virtual Private Network (VPN) service is presented. A first packet of a plurality of packets is received at an ingress provider edge (PE) the plurality of packets destined for a remote server in communication with said egress PE router. A lookup for a destination prefix of a first packet is preformed, and a determination made that a next-hop for the first packet is reachable through a mGRE tunnel. A resolution request is sent to a hub to acquire a routable IP address. The packets sent to the hub are encapsulated, and encrypting until a resolution reply is received and until security associations (SAs) have been exchanged. Then a VPN is established between the ingress and egress PEs and is used for all subsequent packets.