Managing a virtual private network

Abstract

Managing a virtual private network includes providing a graphical user interface for displaying one or more virtual private network subscribers and one or more computers offering virtual private network functions. The graphical user interface is programmed to display tunnels associated with either the subscribers and/or the computers offering virtual private network functions based on user input.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of managing a virtual private network, the method comprising: 
 providing a graphical user interface for displaying one or more virtual private network subscribers and one or more computers offering virtual private network functions, the graphical user interface being programmed to display tunnels associated with either the subscribers and/or the computers offering virtual private network functions based on user input.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the computers offering virtual private network functions comprise extranet switches.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the virtual private network functions comprise tunneling.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the virtual private network functions comprise authentication.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein displaying subscribers and computers comprises displaying a hierarchical tree that includes the subscribers and the computers.  
     
     
         6 .- 15 . (Canceled).  
     
     
         16 . A method of managing a virtual private network, comprising: 
 providing a graphical user interface, the graphical user interface operable for: 
 displaying virtual private network elements, the different elements being selectable by a user,  
 displaying a palette from a collection of palettes that provide virtual private network sub-elements associated with the virtual private network elements, the palette being displayed controlled by user selection of an element,  
 displaying a properties dialog from a collection of properties dialogs that receive user input configuring the virtual private network elements and/or sub-elements, the properties dialog displayed being controlled by user selection of an element from the display of virtual private network elements, and  
 enabling a user through the use of a wizard to configure one or more of the virtual private network elements by interacting with a preprogrammed series of dialogs which query the user for different sets of virtual private network element characteristics.  
   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein displaying virtual private network elements comprises displaying a hierarchical tree that displays both virtual private network elements and associated virtual private network sub-elements.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the virtual private network elements comprise subscribers.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the virtual private network elements comprise computers offering virtual private network functions.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the computers comprise extranet switches.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the sub-elements comprise SNMP properties.  
     
     
         22 . The method  claim 19 , wherein the sub-elements comprise an authentication technique.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the sub-elements comprise tunnels.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising modifying a virtual private network element listed in the hierarchical tree by dragging and dropping a virtual private network element from a displayed palette.  
     
     
         25 . A method of managing a virtual private network, comprising: 
 providing a graphical user interface, the graphical user interface operable for: 
 displaying a hierarchical tree that includes one or more extranet switches, the one or more extranet switches being selectable by a user;  
 displaying a one of a palette from a collection of palettes that provide groupings of extranet switch attributes, the palette displayed being controlled by user selection one of the extranet switches;  
 displaying a one of a collection of properties dialogs that collect information associated with the extranet switch attributes, the properties dialog displayed being controlled by user selection of an element; and  
 displaying a wizard that enables the user to configure one or more of the extranet switches by interacting with a preprogrammed series of dialogs which query the user for different sets of virtual private network element characteristics.