Abstract: A system and method for implementing any one of multiple communication protocols with a single device driver. During initialization (e.g., after being attached to network interface device), a device driver receives a call (e.g., an ioctl) identifying a protocol to be implemented (e.g., PPP or SRP). The device driver configures device soft state structures for each network interface device with protocol-specific attributes (e.g., MTU size, references to protocol-specific packet handling functions). In response to an upper level protocol request (e.g., DL_INFO_REQ), the device driver dynamically assembles protocol-specific data to answer the request.

Abstract: A system and method for implementing a data link layer protocol (e.g., SRP) in a network node having multiple network interface circuits or devices. A single device driver may be executed to operate all of the network interface devices. Separate, interconnected device soft state data structures may be implemented for each network interface device. Link layer functionality (e.g., for encapsulating or receiving a packet) may be embedded in the device driver, thereby avoiding the need for a separate link layer Streams module. In an SRP network, the node periodically conducts a topology discovery process and generates a topology map (e.g., a doubly linked list) reflecting the results. A routing table indicating which ring to use for each other network node, depending on hop count, can then be constructed.

Abstract: A system and method for implementing any one of multiple communication protocols with a single device driver. During initialization (e.g., after being attached to network interface device), a device driver receives a call (e.g., an ioctl) identifying a protocol to be implemented (e.g., PPP or SRP). The device driver configures device soft state structures for each network interface device with protocol-specific attributes (e.g., MTU size, references to protocol-specific packet handling functions). In response to an upper level protocol request (e.g., DL_INFO_REQ), the device driver dynamically assembles protocol-specific data to answer the request.

Abstract: A system and method for a data link user (e.g., snoop utility) to adapt to a protocol processed by a data link provider (e.g., device driver). In a system in which a data link user connects with a data link provider through DLPI (Data Link Provider Interface), the provider is capable of passing to the user a detailed description of a communication protocol handled by the provider. The provider may be requested to send the data if a protocol or media type supported by the provider is of an unknown or “other” type. The provider may describe the protocol using XML or a detailed set of data portraying the protocol or communication structure. Alternatively, the data link provider may send the data link user a Java applet or other executable module, or enable the user to invoke a function embedded within the provider.

Abstract: A method executed by one or more digital devices operating in a networked environment includes the step of storing a network address for each digital device of a set of digital devices within a networked environment. A Uniform Device Descriptor file is associated with each digital device of the set of digital devices. Each Uniform Device Descriptor file characterizes a set of attributes associated with its corresponding digital device. Specified attributes in a search request are matched with attributes in a Uniform Device Descriptor file to render a selected digital device.

Abstract: According to principles of the invention, a distributed data processing system having a host computer coupled by way of a network to one or more peripheral devices is presented. In part, this distributed data processing system has advantages over current technologies because executables run on a host device can also be downloaded and executed on a target peripheral device. The virtual machine instruction processor located in the host machine and the peripheral device run the same instruction set and therefore readily share executables. This capability opens up robust communication between the peripheral device and the host machine and sophisticated peripheral device management and administration.