An enterprise network opens a virtual private network tunnel with a data
center by sending the data center a data request that includes a uniform
resource identifier. The data center responds by sending the enterprise
network ongoing reply data. A user wishing to access network data of the
enterprise network transmits an access request to the data center. The
data center authenticates the identity of the user and transmits the
access request to the enterprise network. The enterprise network responds
to the access request by performing acts upon the network data and/or by
returning network data to the data center such that the user is enabled
access to the network data. In an alternative embodiment, the data center
caches a copy of network data to be retrieved by a remote user when the
same network data is disconnected from the enterprise network.