Apparatus for providing multiple network services using a single serial communications port

摘要

Data communications apparatus is described comprising a general purpose computer and an adapter for enabling the computer to be connected to a data communications network. The computer and the adapter are interconnected by a data card interface. The general purpose computer comprises a first driver arranged to provide a first application program with a data transport connection to the data communications network via the data card interface using a serial COM port. A second driver is arranged to enable a second application program to communicate with the adapter simultaneously with said first application. The adapter is arranged to enable the second application program to make use of additional data services provided by said network via the second driver program. In this way, in addition to its serial communication channel an alternate communication channel is provided between the data card and the computer which allows other applications to make use of the additional data services provided by the network.