An apparatus for an asymmetric data connection comprises a head end router which
may be coupled to an ATM PVC, a PSTN modem coupled to the head end router, a plurality
of downstream routers each couplable to the ATM PVC via respective ATM interfaces,
and a plurality of downstream PSTN modems each coupled to a respective downstream
router via a respective serial interface. Each ATM interface of each respective
downstream router is allocated, in use, a respective IP address in a single subnet.
Each serial interface of each respective downstream router is allocated in use,
a respective IP address in a single subnet. A method of establishing an asymmetric
data connection is also described.
