Embedded protocol selection technique, related interface and computer program product

A dedicated external memory device for automatically setting up protocol-based communication with a host device, the dedicated external memory device including:

• a plurality of protocol-supporting facilities, each said facility adapted for supporting communication with said host device based on a respective protocol;
• a communication link for receiving from said host device a message specifying at least one protocol for use in said protocol-based communication;
• and
• a protocol selector for searching, within said plurality of protocol-supporting facilities one protocol-supporting facility supporting said at least one protocol proposed in said message, whereby, if such protocol-supporting facility is found in said plurality of protocol-supporting facilities, said dedicated external memory device is adapted to be set up for protocol-based communication with said host based on said at least one protocol proposed in said message.

A computer program product, loadable in the memory of at least one computer and including software code portions for performing a method of automatically setting-up protocol-based communication between a host device and a dedicated external memory device, the method comprising:

• providing, in said dedicated external memory device a plurality of protocol-supporting facilities, each said facility adapted for supporting communication with said host device based on a respective protocol;
• sending from said host device towards said dedicated external memory device a message specifying at least one protocol for use in said protocol-based communication;
• searching, within said plurality of protocol-supporting facilities one protocol-supporting facility supporting said at least one protocol proposed in said message;
• and
• if such protocol-supporting facility is found in said plurality of protocol-supporting facilities, setting up said dedicated external memory device for protocol-based communication with said host based on said at least one protocol proposed in said message.