Multiple-protocol communication subsystem controller
First Claim
1. A method for transferring messages among an application program and a plurality of protocol layers in a communication subsystem of a computer using a communication subsystem controller, the computer being connected to a communication network and having a memory and at least one processor, the method comprising the steps of:
- building a protocol stack using the plurality of protocol layers and the communication subsystem controller, wherein the communication subsystem controller forms interfaces between the application program and its adjacent protocol layer in the protocol stack and at least between a pair of adjacent protocol layers in the protocol stack for transferring messages;
enabling the adjacent protocol layer to the application program to be an application service provider in response to the application program;
enabling a first protocol layer in the pair of adjacent protocol layers in the protocol stack to be a protocol service provider in response to a second protocol layer in the pair of adjacent protocol layers in the protocol stack;
transferring messages between the application program and the application service provider, further including the steps of;
transferring messages between the application program and the communication subsystem controller, andtransferring messages between the communication subsystem controller and the application service provider; and
transferring messages between the second protocol layer and the protocol service provider, further including the steps of;
transferring messages between the second protocol layer and the communication subsystem controller, andtransferring messages between the communication subsystem controller and the protocol service provider.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A common programming interface in a communication subsystem controller allows protocols to be developed or modified to communicate with the communication subsystem controller. Once a protocol layer is able to communicate with the communication subsystem controller, the protocol layer is stacked with other protocol layers compatible with the communication subsystem controller. A table in the communication subsystem controller specifies an order of protocol layers in the protocol stack. These protocol layers in the protocol stack communicate with their adjacent protocol layers through the communications subsystem controller.
38 Citations
28 Claims
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1. A method for transferring messages among an application program and a plurality of protocol layers in a communication subsystem of a computer using a communication subsystem controller, the computer being connected to a communication network and having a memory and at least one processor, the method comprising the steps of:
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building a protocol stack using the plurality of protocol layers and the communication subsystem controller, wherein the communication subsystem controller forms interfaces between the application program and its adjacent protocol layer in the protocol stack and at least between a pair of adjacent protocol layers in the protocol stack for transferring messages; enabling the adjacent protocol layer to the application program to be an application service provider in response to the application program; enabling a first protocol layer in the pair of adjacent protocol layers in the protocol stack to be a protocol service provider in response to a second protocol layer in the pair of adjacent protocol layers in the protocol stack; transferring messages between the application program and the application service provider, further including the steps of; transferring messages between the application program and the communication subsystem controller, and transferring messages between the communication subsystem controller and the application service provider; and transferring messages between the second protocol layer and the protocol service provider, further including the steps of; transferring messages between the second protocol layer and the communication subsystem controller, and transferring messages between the communication subsystem controller and the protocol service provider. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. program storage device readable by a computer, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the computer to perform method steps for transferring messages among an application program and a plurality of protocol layers in a communication subsystem of a computer using a communication subsystem controller, the computer being connected to a communication network and having a memory and at least one processor, the method steps comprising:
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building a protocol stack using the plurality of protocol layers and the communication subsystem controller, wherein the communication subsystem controller forms interfaces between the application program and its adjacent protocol layer in the protocol stack and at least between a pair of adjacent protocol layers in the protocol stack for transferring messages; enabling the adjacent protocol layer to the application program to be an application service provider in response to the application program; enabling a first protocol layer in the pair of adjacent protocol layers in the protocol stack to be a protocol service provider in response to a second protocol layer in the pair of adjacent protocol layers in the protocol stack; transferring messages between the application program and the application service provider, further including the steps of; transferring messages between the application program and the communication subsystem controller, and transferring messages between the communication subsystem controller and the application service provider; and transferring messages between the second protocol layer and the protocol service provider, further including the steps of; transferring messages between the second protocol layer and the communication subsystem controller, and transferring messages between the communication subsystem controller and the protocol service provider. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification