Method for transparently forming a connection to an element of a private network over an IP-compliant network

摘要

Methods and apparatus for transparently forming a connection to an element of a private network over an IP-compliant network are disclosed. In disclosed embodiments, network devices such as firewalls are disclosed that are configured to receive an access request from an external user over the IP-compliant network to access the private network element and assign a proxy agent process said access request. The proxy agent then determines whether the external user is authorized to access the private network element. If the user is authorized, then the proxy agent forms a connection to the private network element on behalf of the external user such that the network device appears as the source of the connection to the external user.