An Open Network Adapter (ONA) provides an interface that provides network resource access functions to application writers and network users while hiding the implementation details from those writers and users. The ONA accepts high-level network resource access function requests and coordinates the lower-level actions necessary to accomplish the high-level requests. These network resource access requests may, for example, be provided via a user interface which may be implemented by a personal computer, telephone, or other device capable of providing a display and receiving user input.