Control of access by intermediate network element for connecting data communication networks

摘要

An access control method for a plurality of data communications networks is disclosed that enables a plurality of local nodes ( 101 ) to communicate with each other even if the connection between an intermediate node ( 103 ) and a global server ( 105 ) is momentarily lost. In this method, when the connection to the global server ( 105 ) breaks down, the intermediate node ( 103 ) temporarily grants access to the local nodes ( 101 ) instead of the global server ( 105 ) in accordance with a predetermined policy, thus allowing operation of local networks to function normally until connection to the global network ( 104 ) is resumed.