A transparently-bridged wide area network connecting Ethernet/IEEE 802.3-based local area networks uses redundant proxy devices on each LAN for internetwork communications. The proxy devices on a given LAN, implemented as data link switching (DLSw) devices, identify amongst each other a master proxy device for mediating services to be provided to an end station on the local area network. Each proxy device connected to the local area network sends a request to the identified master proxy device in response to detecting a frame transmitted by an end station on the local area network, for permission to establish a circuit connection for transfer of the frame via a wide area network. The master proxy device, based on prescribed criteria, selects one of the proxy devices for transferring the frame, and sends a grant response to the selected proxy device. The master proxy device sends an "inuse" response as a denial response to the other proxy devices indicating the corresponding request has been denied, thereby avoiding contention for proxy services. Databases within the proxy devices track the request, grants, and denials to minimize generation of repeated requests. The inventory of granted requests may also be modified based on failures detected within the master proxy device, or any proxy device having received grants. Hence, redundant DLSw-type proxy devices may be implemented on a local area network while maintaining a stable and a robust communications system.