Abstract: An apparatus includes a network component that is connected between at least two communication, installation and/or computer networks and is suitable and designed for allowing the passage of data traffic between the networks on the basis of adaptable and appropriately activated data traffic rules or for blocking the passage of data traffic through the network component. The network component has a communication relationship recording functionality for recording the communication relationships present during the passage of the data traffic. The recording functionality can be temporarily activated and/or deactivated for recording communication relationships, and the processing of the recorded communication relationships for the purpose of adapting and subsequently activating the data traffic rules is enabled only when the communication relationship recording functionality is deactivated. Also, a method for operating such a network component.

Abstract: A network-compatible device with a security function for destroying user data includes the a signal input configured to receive a control signal and a configuration signal; a memory configured to store first user data; and a controller configured, upon receipt of the control signal, to carry out a safety function which destroys the first user data in the memory. The network-capable device is inoperable when the first user data is destroyed, and the controller is further configured, upon receipt of the configuration signal, which includes second user data, to store the second user data in the memory to enable the network-compatible device to operate based on the second user data.

Abstract: A mode-of-operation switching method for a network component for a network, which network component has a plurality of digital signal input connections and a mode-of-operation switching functionality for switching between at least two different modes of operation of the network component. The method can be used to temporarily selectively switch from a first preconfigured mode of operation to the at least one further mode of operation of the network component by at least temporarily switching a signal onto at least one predetermined digital signal input connection. Further, an apparatus having an accordingly adapted network component.

Abstract: An access control method and a router, the router connected between at least two communication, installation or computer networks and equipped with login functionality and configured, for logging in a user, to grant the user access to predefined network zones and/or to network devices connected to the network zones following entry of login data recognized as permissible. The access method and router are characterized by an activation/deactivation device interacting with the login functionality provided on the router for temporarily activating and/or deactivating a login data input device required by the user for entering login data.

Abstract: A network-compatible device with a security function for destroying user data includes the a signal input configured to receive a control signal and a configuration signal; a memory configured to store first user data; and a controller configured, upon receipt of the control signal, to carry out a safety function which destroys the first user data in the memory. The network-capable device is inoperable when the first user data is destroyed, and the controller is further configured, upon receipt of the configuration signal, which includes second user data, to store the second user data in the memory to enable the network-compatible device to operate based on the second user data.

Abstract: A VPN connection is established between two networks (1, 6), with two communication devices (2, 7) assigned to the given networks (1, 6), a transmission device (11), and an identifying means. An initial VPN data package is transmitted from the first communication device (2) to the transmission device (11). The second communication device is identified (7) to the transmission device (11) through use of the identifying means. A second VPN data package is transmitted from the second communicating device (7) to the transmission device (11). The transmission device (11) provides an initial VPN configuration parameter (12) for establishing the VPN connection between the communication devices (2, 7) for the first communication device (2), and the transmission device (11) provides a second VPN configuration parameter (13) for establishing the VPN connection between the communication devices (2, 7) for the second communication device (7).

Abstract: A VPN connection is established between two networks (1, 6), with two communication devices (2, 7) assigned to the given networks (1, 6), a transmission device (11), and an identifying means. An initial VPN data package is transmitted from the first communication device (2) to the transmission device (11). The second communication device is identified (7) to the transmission device (11) through use of the identifying means. A second VPN data package is transmitted from the second communicating device (7) to the transmission device (11). The transmission device (11) provides an initial VPN configuration parameter (12) for establishing the VPN connection between the communication devices (2, 7) for the first communication device (2), and the transmission device (11) provides a second VPN configuration parameter (13) for establishing the VPN connection between the communication devices (2, 7) for the second communication device (7).