Patent ID: 7596805

Claim:
A communication device which accepts an access from a single or plural other communication devices through a network in accordance with the operation of plural users, comprising: storage unit; an open segment comprising an open access controller for access via a public network; a non-open segment comprising a non-open access controller for access via a dedicated line, the non-open access controller being separate from, and not directly connected to, the open access controller; a common router for managing access to the open segment and access to the non-open segment, the common router coupled to at least one of the single or plural other communication devices by a dedicated line and the common router coupled to at least another one of the single or plural other communication devices by a public network, and the common router routing the access received from the public network to the open segment, and routing the access received through the dedicated line to one of the open segment and the non-open segment; a managing unit for managing access authority data that defines access authority for at least one of a directory defined in a storage area of said storage unit and file data stored in the directory related to at least one of a user who makes the access or a group to which the user belongs; and an access control unit for inquiring to said managing unit in accordance with the access and controlling the access to said storage unit on the basis of the access authority data received from said managing unit in response to the inquiry concerning every user or group, wherein the managing unit and said storage unit are commonly used by both the open access controller and the non-open access controller, wherein the common router carries out routing of access received from both the dedicated line and the public network.