Input/output device for peripheral equipment

摘要

An input/output device (34) is connected to peripheral equipment (33). The input/output device (34) includes a plurality of network transport modules (43-46). Each network transport module (43-46) implements a different network protocol. The input/output device (34) includes a communication mechanism (56) for communication with the peripheral equipment (33). The input/output device (34) also includes a gateway module (41), which interacts with each of the network transport modules (43-46) and with the communication mechanism (56). For each endpoint (61-66) within an application programming interface (API) module (54) within the peripheral equipment (33), a corresponding endpoint (71-76) is implemented within the gateway module (41). A control channel (59) between the gateway module (41) and the API module (54) is used to transport control messages between the gateway module (41) and the API module (54). For a network transport module (43-46) which requires data stream communication, control messages are exchanged over the control channel (59) and data stream communication is established via a separate communmication channel (58,60) between the gateway module (41) and the API module (54).