An apparatus 101, a communications network 301, a vehicle 305 and a method are disclosed. The apparatus and method are for providing communications between buses 303A, 303B, 303C 303D within the vehicle 305. The apparatus 101, which preferably is a central gateway, comprises a control means 102, storage means 104 for storing data and communication means 105 for transmitting and receiving signals on the plurality of data buses 303A, 303B, 303C 303D. The control means 102 is configured to determine at least one selected bus 303A, 303B, 303C 303D in respect of a received partial networking request and in dependence on a set of conditions for partial networking being met, cause network management signals to be provided to the at least one selected bus 303A, 303B, 303C 303D for maintaining nodes 201, 302 on the at least one selected bus in an awake state while allowing node(s) on at least one other bus to enter a sleep state. In the present example, three of the buses 303A, 303B and 303C are CAN buses and are connected to ports 107 of a first transceiver 106A, while one bus 303D is a FlexRay bus and it is connected to a port 107 of a second transceiver 106B. The apparatus 101 differs from conventional central gateways in that, it is configured to receive partial networking requests and provide communication in respect of those requests. If the apparatus 101 receives a network management message and a partial networking request from the same node 201, 302, it may allow some buses (that are not required for the communication requested by the partial networking request) to return to the sleep state, while selected buses that are required for the partial networking communication are maintained in an awake state. In this way, the apparatus 101 may enable communication between nodes 201, 302 on different buses, while allowing nodes 201, 302 on buses that are not required for the communication to enter a sleep state. A node 201 may perform several different functions which only require partial networking, and the partial networking request may comprise a message that identifies the function for which communication is required, to enable the gateway 101 to maintain the required buses in an awake state.