Abstract: A method and system for providing a persistent HTTP tunnel for a connection-oriented protocol between a client and a Web server. A data message complying with the connection-oriented protocol is generated and embedded into a chunked data message in compliance with a chunking option for the HTTP. The chunked data message is transmitted between a client and a Web server. Upon receiving any chunked data message at the Web server, the Web server parses the chunked data message and delivers the data message to a host system. Upon receiving any chunked data message at the client, the client parses the chunked data message and delivers the data message to a terminal emulator running on the client. This allows a terminal session to be supported by a real-time bi-directional persistent connection with the host system. The bi-directional persistent connection allows interleaving of the chunked data messages from the Web client with the chunked data messages on the Web server on the persistent HTTP tunnel.