Patent ID: 7394756

Claim:
A method of conveying network traffic composed of packets sent in an internetwork between client users and a host, said method comprising: operating a public traffic channel to said host based on internet protocol (IP) routing tables, said traffic channel including a first border router coupling said host to said internetwork; configuring a label table in a router connected to said host to associate a predetermined label with said host in order to provide a limited access channel to said host; configuring a proxy device coupled to said internetwork to recognize at least one authorized client user of said host, to detect network traffic from said authorized client user to said proxy device which is intended for said host, and to forward said network traffic to said host using said predetermined label; using the public channel to send traffic from one of the client users to the host; detecting a malfunction condition of said public traffic channel; and suspending operation of said public traffic channel in response to said malfunction condition; whereby said authorized client user continues to exchange said traffic with said host during said malfunction condition via said limited access channel.