Network traffic controller (NTC)

A system comprising:

• a host device coupled with a video device configured to output streaming data;
• a network device for coupling the host device to a network, the network device comprising a first network interface controller interfacing the network device to a network through a network interface connection, wherein the first network interface controller provides a network interface and a network address through the network interface connection and wherein the first network interface controller is the only network interface controller through which network packets are received by the network device;
• wherein the network device comprises a host bus coupling the network device to the host device and being configured to transfer data between the host device and the network device;
• wherein the network device comprises a streaming data bus coupling the network device to the host device and being configured to transfer streaming data between the host device and the network device, wherein the streaming data bus is different from the host bus;
• wherein the network device is further configured to operate in a first mode in which the host device and the network device are configured to co-operate with each other to implement a network interface controller (NIC) function, wherein the NIC function provides the host device with network connectivity to the network via the host bus and the first network interface controller;
• wherein in implementing the NIC function, the host device is configured to use a first network stack, and the network device is configured to use a second network stack distinct from the first network stack;
• and
• wherein the first network stack and the second network stack share the network address and wherein the first network stack and the second network stack share the network interface;
• and
• wherein the network device is further configured to operate in a second mode in which the network device is coupled with said video device and receives output streaming data, wherein in the second mode the network device and video device operate as a digital media server.