Dynamic proxy server

A communication system, comprising:

• a master port;
• a plurality of internal ports;
• and
• a plurality of dynamic proxy servers, each comprising:
• client logic that is capable of communicating with any of the plurality of dynamic proxy servers that are bound to any of the plurality of internal ports;
• proxy logic that is capable of communicating, via the client logic, with any of the plurality of dynamic proxy servers that are bound to any of the plurality of internal ports;
• and
• server logic, interfacing the proxy logic and including a socket, that attempts to bind the socket to the master port, wherein if the attempt to bind the socket to the master port is successful, the server logic operates to proxy communications, via the proxy logic, between the master port and any of the plurality of dynamic proxy servers that are bound to any of the plurality of internal ports, and if the attempt to bind the socket to the master port is unsuccessful, the server logic binds the socket to one of the plurality of internal ports.

A method of providing proxy communications between a master port, a plurality of internal ports and a plurality of proxy servers, each proxy server including server logic, proxy logic and client logic, comprising:

• each of the plurality of proxy servers attempting to bind its server logic to the master port;
• if successful at binding to the master port, a master proxy server operating to proxy communications, via its proxy logic and its client logic, between the master port and any of the plurality of dynamic proxy servers that are bound to any of the plurality of internal ports;
• and
• if not successful at binding to the master port, binding to one of the internal ports and communicating via that internal port.