SERVER AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING SECURE ACCESS TO A GROUP OF USERS

摘要

A server and method is provided to provide a specific service to network users. The server and method automatically provide user-to-server security using VLANs. The server manages VLAN based on the request from a user for creating/deleting/joining/leaving VLANs. The server allows user to control groupings and overcomes the VLAN limit with the filtering policies on the switching infrastructure. In the second aspect of invention, the server and method provide a specific address based on requests from users. The server dynamically handles the management and facilitation of the requests. The server offers users reassignment of IP addresses from a first set of characteristics to a second set of characteristics with minimal user intervention. This allows users the ability to run a broader range of protocols. In the third aspect of invention, the server and method is provided to provide a routable IP address to a remote computer. The server allows pools of routable addresses to be maintained on one or more remote servers. The server can solve the shortage of the routable IP addresses.