Distributing and sharing licenses across network devices in a virtual private network (VPN)

摘要

A device creates a pool of available licenses for secure network resources, and receives an unused license from a network device. The device also provides the unused license in the pool of available licenses, and receives a request for a license from another network device. The device further provides, to the other network device, the unused license from the pool of available licenses.

主权项

1. A method comprising:
providing, by a network device and to a client device, access to a requested resource based on a license received by the network device from a license broker device; after providing access to the requested resource, determining, by the network device, that the license is no longer being used by the network device; surrendering, by the network device, the license to the license broker device based on the determination that the license is no longer being used by the network device; and before an initiation of contact by the broker device with the network device after the surrendering of the license by the network device, contacting, by the network device, the license broker device to renew the surrendering of the license to prevent the license broker device from releasing the license back to the network device.