VALUE ADDED NETWORK WITH MULTIPLE ACCESS METHODOLOGY

摘要

A communications system (10) is provided which allows clients (20) subscribing to a value added network (90) to easily and flexibly communicate with that value added network (90). The client may choose to connect with the network through a direct connect dial-up link such as an X.25 link or alternatively the client may connect through an Internet Protocol (IP) link. A switch (25) at the client connection is provided for accessing the value added network (90) through either communications link. In one embodiment of the present invention, the user of the client workstation may determine which link is appropriate while in another embodiment the communications protocol is selected automatically by the client process based upon the application accessed. Further, a portion of the communications system (10) of the present invention is located at the value added network location. This portion of the system communicates with the connected clients (20) in a manner that allows the communications interface to be transparent to the client.