Automated configuration of a virtual private network

1. A computer implemented method for remotely configuring a Virtual Private Network (VPN) between a client-side system and a server-side system, comprising:

receiving data at a service provider system indicative of a selected server-side system and a selected client-side system between which a VPN is to be established;

automatically determining security settings at the service provider system for said client-side system based at least partially on said data; and

automatically transmitting VPN configuration details from the service provider system to a modem of said client-side system, where said VPN configuration details include said security settings,

such that in use said modem of said client-side system is automatically configured with said VPN configuration details to establish a secure VPN tunnel between said client-side system and said server-side system.

2. The computer implemented method of claim 1 , wherein said receiving comprises obtaining said data indicative of a selected server in said server-side system and a selected user of said client-side system from a system administrator, via an electronic network.

3. The computer implemented method of claim 1 , wherein said determining comprises creating a public and private key.

4. The computer implemented method of claim 1 , wherein said determining comprises establishing a Digital Certificate.

5. The computer imnplementcd method of claim 1 , further comprising:

automatically ascertaining further security settings for said server-side system;

automatically transmitting VPN configuration details to a concentrator within said server-side system, where said VPN configuration details include said further security settings.

6. The computer implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising:

automatically ascertaining further security settings for said server-side system; and

automatically transmitting VPN configuration details to a firewall within said server-side system, where said VPN configuration details include said further security settings.

7. The computer implemented method of claim 1 , wherein said transmitting comprises communicating said VPN configuration details to said modem within said client-side system.

8. The computer implemented method of claim 1 , wherein said transmitting comprises communicating said VPN configuration details to a firewall on said modem within said client-side system.

9. The computer implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising the step, after said determining step, of: storing said data indicative of a selected server-side system and a selected client-side system between which a VPN is to be established and said security settings.

10. The computer implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising the steps, after said automatically transmitting step, of:

receiving a password from said client-side system; and

authenticating said password.

11. The computer implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising:

establishing a Virtual Private Network tunnel between said client-side system and said server-side system; and

verifying that said tunnel is operational.

12. The computer implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising configuring a login page on said modem within said client-side system.

13. A computer program product for use in conjunction with a computer system for remotely configuring a Virtual Private Netwotic (VPN) between a client-side system and a server-side system, the computer program product comprising a computer readable storage and a computer program stored therein, the computer program comprising:

instructions for receiving data at a service provider system indicative of a selected server-side system and a selected client-side system between which a VPN is to be established;

instructions for automatically determining security settings for a modem of said client-side system based at least partially on said data; and

instructions for automatically transmitting VPN configuration details from said service provider system to said modem of said client-side system, where said VPN configuration details include said security settings, such that in use said modem of said client-side system is automatically configured with said VPN configuration details.

14. The computer program product of claim 13 , wherein said instructions for receiving further comprise instructions for obtaining said data indicative of a selected server in said server-side system and a selected user of said client-side system from a system administrator, via an electronic network.

15. The computer program product of claim 13 , wherein said instructions for determining further comprise instructions for creating a public and private key.

16. The computer program product of claim 13 , wherein said instructions for determining further comprise instructions for establishing a Digital Certificate.

17. The computer program product of claim 13 , wherein said computer program further comprises:

instructions for automatically ascertaining further security settings for said server-side system; and

instructions for automatically transmitting VPN configuration details to a concentrator within said server-side system, where said VPN configuration details include said further security settings.

18. A computer implemented method for remotely configuring a Virtual Private Network (VPN) between a client-side system and a server-side system, comprising:

receiving at a modem within said client-side system, VPN configuration details from a service provider system, where said VPN configuration details include security settings for establishing a VPN with a remote server-side system; and

automatically configuring said modem, with said VPN configuration details,

such that in use a secure VPN tunnel can be established between said client-side system and said server-side system.

19. The computer implemented method of claim 18 , wherein said configuring further comprises setting-up a firewall on said modem with said modem with said security settings.

20. The computer implemented method of claim 18 , further comprising:

receiving a password from said client-side system; and

authenticating said password.

21. The computer implemented method of claim 20 , wherein said authenticating comprises:

sending said password to an authentication server within said server-side system;

receiving authentication from said authentication server.

22. A remotely configurable Virtual Private Network (VPN) comprising:

a client-side network comprising:

a modem that communicates with the internet; and

at least one client computer electrically coupled to said modem;

a server-side network comprising:

a VPN concentrator that communicates with the internet; and

at least one server electrically coupled to said VPN concentrator; and

a service provider network comprising:

a security generator for automatically determining security settings used to secure VPN communication between said client computer and said server;

a VPN synchronizer for automatically configuring said modem with said security settings; and

a modem synchronizer for automatically configuring said modem with said security settings.

23. The remotely configurable Virtual Private Network (VPN) of claim 22 , wherein said modem is a DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) modem.

24. The remotely configurable Virtual Private Network (VPN) of claim 22 , wherein said server-side network further comprises:

a router configured to electrically couple to the internet;

a firewall electrically coupled to said router;

an anthentication server for authenticating a user of said client computer;

a file server;

a proxy server; and

a DNS (Domain Name System) server.

25. The remotely configurable Virtual Private Network (VPN) of claim 22 , wherein said server-side network further comprises an authentication server for authenticating a user of said client computer.

26. The remotely configurable Virtual Private Network (VPN) of claim 22 , wherein said service provider network further comprises:

a VPN provider;

a DNS (Domain Name System) server, and

an HTTP server.

27. The remotely configurable Virtual Private Network (VPN) of claim 22 , wherein said security generator is a PKI (Public Key Infrastructure) Synchronizer.