A method for generating a route distinguisher for a virtual private network, the virtual private network managed by a service provider through a network management system, the method comprising: receiving a signal from a user through a graphical user interface displayed on a display screen of the network management system to select a format for the route distinguisher; receiving a signal from the user through the graphical user interface to select a policy for determining the route distinguisher; displaying an available value for the route distinguisher on the display screen, the available value determined from the policy and the format, the available value including an administrator subfield value portion and a next assigned number subfield value portion; receiving an administrator subfield value and a next assigned number subfield value from the user through the graphical user interface; and, combining the administrator subfield value and the next assigned number subfield value to generate the route distinguisher, whereby the administrator subfield value portion and the next assigned number subfield value portion of the available value suggest the administrator subfield value and the next assigned number subfield value to the user, respectively.