To make an efficient network operation possible in which a user-side device connected by a permanent virtual connection path is selectively connected to one among multiple specified connection destinations, and multiple layer 2 links are multiplexed to one path, a layer 2 link handler is connected to the user-side device by a permanent virtual connection path PVC via the ATM switch the layer 2 link handler has a path specifying units and is connected to multiple specified connection destinations by permanent virtual connection paths or switched virtual connection path via ATM switch that specifies one path of the connection request destinations from layer 2 link information emitted from the user-side device at the time of the layer 2 link connection request, and sets to the path of that specified connection destination a layer 2 link of the permanent virtual connection path PVC of the user-side device. Labels are assigned to layer 2 links, and layer 2 links may be multiplexed.