Secure remote computer network

A computer communications network system, comprising:

• (a) at least one VPN server computer in a hub mode in communication connectivity with an external network, said at least one VPN server computer in a hub mode further comprising a discovery server to monitor external activity, a management data base to record current network communication statistics, a plurality of network address translators, a virtual network interface to communicate with a plurality of client computers, and a virtual private network to encrypt data prior to transmitting said encrypted data to one of said network address translators;
• (b) at least one VPN client computer in a client mode in communication connectivity with an external network, said at least one VPN client computer in a client mode further comprising a discovery server to monitor external activity, a management data base to record current network communication statistics, a plurality of network address translators, a virtual network interface to communicate with a plurality of client computers, and a virtual switch and router in communication connectivity with a virtual private network to encrypt data prior to transmitting said encrypted data to one of said network address translators;
• (c) a directory service in communication connectivity with an external network, the directory service enabling open protocol real-time messaging;
• and
• (d) a management database for recording real time statistics related to the computer communications network system, the real time statistics including (i) cost, (ii) performance, and (iii) expected reliability of each of a plurality of potential connections between the at least one VPN server computer in a hub mode and the at least one VPN client computer in a client mode,
• wherein said at least one VPN server computer in a hub mode initiates a connection with said directory service to be registered and made available for said at least one switchboard computer in a client mode to communicate via the open protocol real-time messaging with said at least one VPN server computer in a hub mode through an external network.

A virtual private network for computer communications, comprising:

• (a) at least one VPN server computer in a hub mode in communication connectivity with an external network;
• (b) at least one VPN client computer in a client mode in communication connectivity with an external network;
• (c) a directory service in communication connectivity with an external network, the directory service enabling open protocol real-time messaging;
• and
• (d) a management database for recording real time statistics related to the virtual private network, the real time statistics including (i) cost, (ii) performance, and (iii) expected reliability of each of a plurality of potential connections between the at least one VPN server computer in a hub mode and the at least one VPN client computer in a client mode,
• wherein said at least one VPN server computer in a hub mode initiates a connection with said directory service to be registered and made available for said at least one VPN client computer in a client mode to dynamically communicate via the open protocol real-time messaging with said at least one VPN server computer in a hub mode through an external network.

A method for creating a flexible and secure network connection between two or more computers, having at least one VPN server computer in a hub mode in communication connectivity with an external network;

• and at least one VPN client computer in a client mode in communication connectivity with an external network;
• a directory service in communication connectivity with an external network, the directory service enabling open protocol real-time messaging;
• and a management database for recording real time statistics related to the flexible and secure network connection, the real time statistics including (i) cost, (ii) performance, and (iii) expected reliability of each of a plurality of potential connections between the at least one VPN server computer in a hub mode and the at east one VPN client computer in a client mode, the method comprising the steps of:
• (a) initiating from said at least one VPN server computer in a hub mode a connection with said directory service;
• and
• (b) registering said at least one VPN server computer in a hub mode a connection with said directory service as available for said at least one VPN client computer in a client mode to dynamically communicate via the open protocol real-time messaging with said at least one VPN server computer in a hub mode through an external network.