An acceleration apparatus is adapted to operate in a direct mode and a proxy mode. In the direct mode, the acceleration apparatus decrypts data packets received from a client and forwards the decrypted data packets to a server using a communication session negotiated by the client and the server. In the proxy mode, the acceleration apparatus responds to the client on behalf of the server and forwards the decrypted data packets to the server using a communication session negotiated by the acceleration device and the server. The acceleration apparatus automatically switches from the direct mode to the proxy mode upon detection of a communication error associated with the communication session negotiated by the client and the server.