Multiplexed data stream protocol

A machine implemented method comprising:

• packetizing a data stream to produce packets with headers;
• transmitting the packets through an interface, which is not designed to use Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, to another device, wherein the headers contain data for flow control and sequencing and are associated with a port for an application, and wherein the headers allow multiple applications to maintain an arbitrary number of multiple concurrent sessions through the interface.

The method as in claim to wherein the TCP compliant headers are associated with a socket which is not part of an IP network.

A data processing system comprising:

• means for packetizing a data stream to produce packets with headers;
• means for transmitting the packets through an interface, which is not designed to use Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, to another device, wherein the headers contain data for flow control and sequencing and are associated with a port for an application, and wherein the headers allow multiple applications to maintain an arbitrary number of multiple concurrent sessions through the interface.

A computer readable medium containing executable program instructions to be executed on a data processing system, the medium comprising:

• a first network stack software to create packets for transmission through a first interface on a device and to extract data from packets received through the first interface;
• a second network stack software to create packets for transmission through a second interface on the device and extract data from packets received though the second interface, the second network stack software being configured to communicate with the first network stack software, wherein the second interface is configured to be coupled to a third interface on another system, the second network stack software being configured to send data extracted from packets, received through the second interface, through the first network stack software, and wherein the second network stack software is configured to transmit and receive packets using a protocol designed for the second interface.

A computer readable medium containing executable program instructions to be executed on a data processing system, the medium comprising:

• a first network stack software to create packets for transmission through a first interface on a device and to extract data from packets received through the first interface;
• a second network stack software to create packets for transmission through a second interface on the device and extract data from packets received though the second interface, the second network stack software being configured to communicate with the first network stack software, wherein the second interface is configured to be coupled to a third interface on another system, the second network stack software being configured to create packets containing data received from the first network stack software and being configured to transmit the packets, containing data received from the first network stack software, through the second interface, and wherein the second network stack software is configured to transmit and receive packets using a protocol designed for the second interface.

A computer readable medium containing executable program instructions which cause a data processing system to perform a method comprising:

• receiving packets with headers at a first network stack software, the packets being received through an interface;
• extracting data from the packets, wherein the extracting is performed by the first network stack software, wherein the interface is not designed to use Internet Protocol (IP) addresses and wherein the headers contain data for flow control and sequencing and are associated with a port for an application, and wherein the headers allow multiple applications to maintain an arbitrary number of multiple concurrent sessions through the interface.

A machine implemented method comprising:

• receiving packets with headers at a first network stack software, the packets being received through an interface;
• extracting data from the packets, wherein the extracting is performed by the first network stack software, wherein the interface is not designed to use Internet Protocol (IP) addresses and wherein the headers contain data for flow control and sequencing and are associated with a port for an application, and wherein the headers allow multiple applications to maintain an arbitrary number of multiple concurrent sessions through the interface.

A data processing system comprising:

• means for receiving packets with headers at a first network stack software, the packets being received through an interface;
• means for extracting data from the packets, wherein the extracting is performed by the first network stack software, wherein the interface is not designed to use Internet Protocol (IP) addresses and wherein the headers contain data for flow control and sequencing and are associated with a port for an application, and wherein the headers allow multiple applications to maintain an arbitrary number of multiple concurrent sessions through the interface.