Patent ID: 7596623
Filing Date: 2009-09-29
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method of sending data from a component operating in a data processing system to a target system across a communication line, comprising: configuring a connector in said data processing system using a protocol handler to convert incoming and outgoing data into messages that conform to a protocol used for communication between said component in said data processing system and said target system, wherein said protocol handler is one of a plurality of protocol handlers that are removably plugged into said connector to provide protocol conversion services for maintaining said communication between said component in said data processing system and said target system, and wherein each of said plurality of protocol handlers supports a different protocol so that in response to said protocol being changed to a different protocol said connector is reconfigured by unplugging said protocol handler and plugging in a new protocol handler from said plurality of protocol handlers that supports said different protocol to maintain said communication between said component in said data processing system and said target system, and wherein said target system does not include a second connector as a result of said connector in said data processing system providing said protocol conversion services to maintain said communication; establishing a connection between said data processing system and said communication line; receiving an output record containing said outgoing data from said component in said data processing system; and transmitting said outgoing data formatted into said different protocol on said communication line to said target system.