Patent ID: 8150973

Claim:
An apparatus for communicating via a network with a remote computer, the apparatus being remote from the remote computer, the apparatus comprising: a device comprising a network controller, a microcontroller and a virtual COM port, the device to: receive from the remote computer, a first command for communication via the network with the remote computer, the first command including at least one argument to identify a kind of redirection session that is requested to be started, the kind comprising one of a serial-over-local area network session and another form of redirection session, the serial-over-local area network session being to transmit text data to the remote computer via the virtual COM port, the text data being redirected, from intended reception at a local COM port of the device, to the serial-over-local area network session; reply to the remote computer as to whether the kind of redirection session is supported; if the kind of redirection session is supported, open, in response, at least in part, to the first command, the kind of redirection session, unless a predetermined maximum number of permitted redirection sessions is already open; and if the kind of redirection session comprises the serial-over-local-area network session, the device also to: receive a second command to stop redirecting the text data to the serial-over-local-area network session; stop, in response, at least in part, to the second command, the redirecting; receive a third command to close the serial-over-local-area network session; close, in response, at least in part to the third command, the serial-over-local-area network session; wherein the text data comprises text-mode screen data to be displayed at the remote computer and at the apparatus.