don't start the copyright paperwork yet...

there is in fact a VPN router which does, as you insightfully (yet, regrettably too late), bring to light. A Cisco VPN Router allows various networks to connect through "tunnels" while also providing typical switching. The setup I use for work allows me to tunnel directly into my desktop at work. Then through the use of Dameware, I can console into the various network devices we use in order to manage our network from home!