Abstract: A communication system is comprised of a computer system connected to a LAN, a local area communications system (LAX) connected to the LAN, peripheral communications devices connected to the LAX, apparatus for controlling communications between the devices via the LAX under control of programs resident in a computer of the computer system, the controlling apparatus comprising a database for storing server system configuration data, a peripheral driver, a call control for controlling the peripheral driver and accessing application programs and the system configuration data, and a protocol converter for passing control and data messages in manners proprietary to each peripheral communications device from and to the peripheral communications devices via peripheral drivers and to and from a variety of standard and non-standard application programs stored in the computer system.