Abstract: A communication protocol stack apparatus and method determine the aggregate maximum header and trailer lengths(H, T) and a payload size(P) for each layer of the protocol stack and pre-allocate for each layer one or more buffers of a length equal to the sum of “H”, “T” and “P”. The layer copies receiving data into the pre-allocated buffer at a position determined by “H”, and copies its header and trailer immediately before and after the data in the buffer. The layer sets two references. The next lower layer copies its header and trailer into the buffer at the positions determined by the references and updates the references. The process is repeated until the lowest layer and data between the references is copied to a physical device for transmission.

Abstract: A method of paring a document, marked up using a given markup language before use of the document by an application such as a web browser, the document comprising markup and data, by identifying markup which is not used by the application; and creating a pared document using the same markup language, comprising other portions of the markup other than the identified portion. By tailoring the document to the application, the time that is required to download the document can be reduced, which is useful for users who are using slow links such as a connection through a cellular phone, and where the users device has limited display capabilities, meaning that much of the document cannot be used by the users application.

Abstract: Using a server to provide access to a plurality of unrelated types of services, to a user communicating from a remote terminal to the server, by detecting a service access command sent from the user, the service access command comprising an indication of a service type, the service access command having a syntax which uses only alphanumeric characters, or "#" or "*" characters. Interpreting the command involves extracting the service type, to detect if the command further comprises one or more parameters relating to the service, extracting any such parameters and initiating the provision of the selected service. By having a server which understands commands in a form having a syntax using a limited set of characters, service access from telephones or terminals with smaller keyboards, becomes easier.