A method for establishing a synchronous connection between two terminals
over an asynchronous communication transport is provided. The method
includes receiving, from a first secure terminal, an indication for
establishing a connection with a second secure terminal. The indication
is received at a first gateway, which then sends the indication to a
second gateway. The first gateway negotiates with the first secure
terminal to establish a connection with the first gateway. The
negotiation is performed without the first gateway communicating with the
second gateway or the second secure terminal. A second gateway also
negotiates with the second secure terminal to establish a connection with
the second gateway. When it is determined that the first secure terminal
and first gateway have established a first connection and the second
secure terminal and second gateway have established a second connection,
a connection between the first secure terminal and the second secure
terminal is established through the first gateway and the second gateway.