A data communications network with a plurality of PoPs maintains a local
database associated with each PoP and a central database somewhere on the
data communications network. The local database contains a group
identification such as a domain identification corresponding to a group
of users, a maximum number of VPN sessions to provide the group of users
at the PoP and a dynamic VPN session count corresponding to active VPN
sessions currently provided to the group of users at the PoP. The central
database contains a maximum number of VPN sessions to provide the group
of users over the entire data communications network and a dynamic
network-wide VPN session count corresponding to active VPN sessions
currently provided to the group of users on the entire data
communications network. Actions are taken when the group attempts to
exceed either the local maximum number of sessions or the network-wide
maximum number of sessions by more than a predetermined number. The
actions may include assessing extra charges, denying access, and sending
warning messages to appropriate recipients.